Lorde celebrates her birthday today, turning 17 years old. The New Zealand singer (Ella Yelich-O’Connor) is most popular for her hit song “Royals” from her first album "Pure Heroine” heard on the radio like it’s on repeat. The album was released November of last year. 

A year later, Lorde is celebrating her birthday with success. The Washington Post said Lorde is the first woman in 17 years to top Billboard’s Alternative Chart. 

The singer is popular for being young with a big voice in her music. She is the new kind of role model for girls, straying away from being someone like a Disney role model. 

She has sent strong messages through her work and interviews. Lorde has come out and is not shy to admit her strong feminist beliefs. Her carefree attitude is clearly portrayed in her song “Royals.” 

What became an almost issue was out about criticizing actress/singer Selena Gomez’s song “Come and Get It.” Lorde argued the lyrics make women seem weak. She told Rolling Stone magazine "I love pop music on a sonic level. But I'm a feminist and the theme of her song is 'When you're ready come and get it from me,'" she said. "I'm sick of women being portrayed this way." 

Do her strong feminist beliefs mean that she supports other young singers who are also young and carefree like Miley Cyrus? Most people would argue that artists such as Lorde and Cyrus and their carefree attitude is a way of expressing their individuality and personal style in the music industry. 

Lorde has made comments about how she grew up in a normal background for teenagers instead of being born into fame like Cyrus…maybe one of the celebrities she was influenced by to write her song “Royals.” 

She also admitted to admiring singer Kanye West’s ideas and works and hopes to be a lyricist for other artists as well. 

Lord does not plan to be a problematic star with others in the music/entertainment industry, but she is not afraid to show her true colors or lose herself to the industry. 

With her confidence, Lorde will continue to make music and top the charts at her young age. Keep tabs on her to see where she will be this time next year. 

Reach Staff Reporter Tanya Mardirossian here.