Get Ready to Feel Seen: Alessia Cara’s Journey to the Rifflandia Stage

Born Alessia Caracciolo in Mississauga and raised in Brampton, Ontario, Alessia Cara showed early signs of artistic talent. As a child, she wrote poetry and performed in theatre. She began playing guitar at the age of ten and taught herself to play various songs. By thirteen, she launched her own YouTube channel, posting performances of song covers. After gaining traction with her acoustic covers, she signed with EP Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings in 2014 and released her debut single the following year.

Alessia emerged onto the music scene in 2015 with her breakout hit “Here,” which climbed to number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number nineteen on the Canadian Hot 100 chart, earning widespread acclaim. Her debut album, Know-It-All, delivered another success, peaking at number eight on the Canadian Albums Chart and number nine on the Billboard 200. The album’s third single, “Scars to Your Beautiful,” solidified her reputation as a songwriter unafraid to explore themes of identity, self-esteem, and authenticity.

Alessia Cara’s rise can be attributed not only to her talent, songwriting, and vocal resonance but also to her genuine, emotionally intelligent, and deeply personal approach. Her songs speak directly to relatable emotions and everyday struggles—whether social anxiety, self-image, or growing pains—giving voice to feelings many experience but can’t always articulate. This honesty creates a strong, meaningful connection with her audience.

From her earliest performances, Alessia has stood out for being unapologetically herself. She doesn’t fit the typical pop-star mold; instead, she comes across as funny, down-to-earth, and openly vulnerable. What you see is what you get.

To date, Alessia Cara was named Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the 2016 JUNO Awards. In 2017, she collaborated with DJ and producer Zedd on the single “Stay,” which was certified seven-times platinum in Canada. That same year, she featured alongside Khalid and rapper Logic on the multi-platinum hit “1-800-273-8255.” Alessia won Best New Artist at the 2018 Grammy Awards, becoming the first Canadian to receive this honour. Her follow-up album, The Pains of Growing (2018), earned JUNO Awards for Album of the Year, Pop Album of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year—recognitions that affirmed her thoughtful lyricism and emotional depth. She followed this with In the Meantime in 2021, which received critical praise as a reflective and incisive work. Alessia has also won a SOCAN Award, two MTV Video Music Awards, and three Canadian Radio Music Awards.

Her latest album, Love & Hyperbole, showcases a matured artist in peak form: vocally commanding, thematically cohesive, and emotionally unfiltered. Alessia’s dynamic shifts—from energetic openers like “Go Outside!” to heartfelt farewells like “Clearly”—take listeners on a journey through love, heartbreak, and acceptance. Recent singles such as “Dead Man,” “Isn’t It Obvious” (featuring John Mayer on guitar), and “Slow Motion” highlight her versatility, blending reflective storytelling with warm R&B vibes.

Alessia’s stage presence merges sincerity and confidence. She is known for baring her truth both lyrically and visually—famously discarding makeup mid-performance—and that vulnerability creates compelling, intimate live moments. Through her music and public statements, Alessia promotes body positivity, mental health awareness, individuality, and empowerment.

Alessia Cara’s highly anticipated performance at Rifflandia this year marks one of the first major festival appearances during her Love & Hyperbole world tour, which launched April 6, 2025, and spans North America, Europe, and beyond. It’s an opportunity to experience both her greatest hits and new compositions live, woven into a narrative of evolution, empowerment, and emotional honesty. Her shows balance intimate storytelling with large-scale anthemic moments—expect genuine connections, powerful vocals, and vivid live arrangements that reveal the full breadth of her artistry.

From viral covers to winning awards on the world’s biggest stages, Alessia Cara has carved out a space as one of the most respected and relatable voices in modern pop. Get ready for an engaging, heartfelt experience. This is Alessia Cara at a creative milestone—an invitation to feel seen through a shared journey. Expect to laugh, reflect, and dance, creating a vivid Rifflandia memory.

– Vanessa Henderkien Wright. Vanessa Henderkien Wright has been a Creative Executive, Content Writer, and Screenwriter for an independent film company based on Vancouver Island since 2015. Vanessa has a personal deep background fervour for music history spurred by her familial upbringing and formative years spent in Motown, she continues to hold a great passion for creative expression in media of storytelling.