HYBE’s Indian-Origin Queer K-pop Idol.

Lara Raj, born Lara Rajagopalan, was born on November 3, 2005, in Los Angeles, California. She is of Indian-Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Lara is bilingual and speaks both English and Tamil. Lara has an older sister, Rhea Raj, who is a singer-songwriter. She is also famous for her bohemian sense of style, fascination with crystals, and passion for coffee. Lara embraces her individuality. In March 2025, she publicly declared herself to be queer, an important and proud aspect of her identity that adds depth to her personal narrative.

Career and Training

Lara started training as a triple threat, acting, singing, and dancing, at four years old, showing versatility from the start. Some early highlights in her career are acting on the NBC series “The Blacklist,” being highlighted in Michelle Obama’s Global Girls Alliance campaign, and modeling for Macy’s.

She went through a rigorous performing arts training through New York City’s Professional Performing Arts School and LaGuardia High School, with a major in drama. Lara added to her training with additional classes from Septien Entertainment. However, she is also very active online, where she uploads vocal covers and dance videos, highlighting her multifaceted talent and work ethic.

KATSEYE and HYB

Lara gained international recognition as a member of KATSEYE, an international multicultural girl group formed under HYBE Labels and Geffen Records. KATSEYE formed through the reality survival show “The Debut: Dream Academy,” which had more than 120,000 aspirants. Therefore, she placed second in the final lineup, together with five other members from the Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland, and the USA. KATSEYE combines Western pop sounds with K-pop dance, performing with an edgy Y2K-inspired style. Although the group is also partnered with major brands like Pandora and Lush, with music influenced by iconic groups like The Pussycat Dolls, Spice Girls, and Le Sserafim, forming a new cultural fusion in global pop music.

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Public Impact and Representation

As HYBE’s first Indian-origin K-pop idol, Lara is a pioneer in the industry. That she decided to disclose her queerness is especially notable, breaking decades-long taboos in a traditionally conservative industry.

Her openness has widely praised, solidifying her position as a symbol of inclusivity and progressiveness in K-pop. Lara’s journey is one of hope to fans worldwide, a bridge between cultures and identities. And a catalyst for conversations on diversity and representation in music.

Media Appearances and Publicity

Lara’s growth and progress with KATSEYE has documented in a Netflix documentary series. In which audiences are given a look behind the curtain at their intense process of growth from trainees to debut stars. She actively interacts with her fan base through her Instagram account, on which she shares aspects of her life, artistry, and performances. With her skill and charisma, Lara Raj is quickly emerging as a bright leading star. She always brings fresh energy and cultural diversity to the evolving K-pop world.