Karla Camila Cabello Estrabao, known by her stage name Camila Cabello, is a Cuban-American singer and songwriter born on March 3, 1997, in Cojimar, Cuba. At the age of six, she moved to Miami, Florida, where she grew up in a Spanish-speaking environment, influenced by her Cuban mother and Mexican father. Cabello’s early love for music was nurtured by listening to artists such as Celia Cruz and Alejandro Fernández. At fifteen, she auditioned for The X Factor in Greensboro, North Carolina. Though initially eliminated, she was brought back along with four other contestants to form the girl group Fifth Harmony.
Despite finishing in third place on The X Factor, Fifth Harmony became one of the most successful acts to emerge from the show. The group’s debut EP, Better Together, was released in 2013, followed by their debut album Reflection in 2015, which featured hits like “Sledgehammer” and “Worth It.” While with Fifth Harmony, Cabello began to establish herself as a solo artist, releasing collaborative singles “I Know What You Did Last Summer” with Shawn Mendes and “Bad Things” with Machine Gun Kelly, the latter peaking at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100.
In December 2016, Cabello left Fifth Harmony to pursue a solo career. Her debut studio album, Camila, released in 2018, was a significant success. The album peaked atop the US Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The lead single “Havana,” featuring Young Thug, topped the Billboard Hot 100 and charts in 23 other countries, earning diamond certification by the RIAA. The follow-up single, “Never Be the Same,” also achieved top ten status in multiple countries.
Cabello’s second studio album, Romance, released in 2019, continued her success. The duet “Señorita” with Shawn Mendes became her second song to top the Billboard Hot 100. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and included the top 20 single “My Oh My” featuring DaBaby.
In 2021, Cabello starred in the film Cinderella, showcasing her versatility beyond music. She continued to explore her Latin roots in her third studio album, Familia (2022), which was preceded by the single “Don’t Go Yet.” The album peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200, with its second single “Bam Bam” featuring Ed Sheeran reaching the top five of the Billboard Global 200 and peaking within the top ten in several countries.
In 2024, Cabello released her fourth studio album, C,XOXO, marking her first project since leaving Epic Records and signing with Geffen and Interscope Records. The album features collaborations with Drake, City Girls, Playboi Carti, and Lil Nas X, and showcases her versatility across genres like pop, hyperpop, hip-hop, and avant-pop.
Cabello’s music is characterized by her soprano vocal range and influences from pop, Latin, and R&B. Her debut album, Camila, incorporated elements of reggaeton, hip hop, and dancehall, drawing inspiration from contemporary Latin artists and songwriters like Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. Her second album was inspired by the “big sounds” of the 80s and Queen. Cabello cites artists such as Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Shakira, Alejandro Sanz, David Bisbal, Maná, Beyoncé, John Mayer, Demi Lovato, and Eminem as influences.
Throughout her career, Cabello has amassed billions of streams and numerous accolades, including two Latin Grammy Awards, five American Music Awards, and one Billboard Music Award. Her hit single “Havana” was the best-selling digital single of 2018, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). Cabello’s journey from a girl group member to a successful solo artist and actress showcases her remarkable talent and versatility in the entertainment industry.
