Photos + Words / Arturo Evaristo

Stylist / Ally Rose

MUA / David Velasquez 

Hair / Ricardo Roberts 

It’s the summer of 2021. I’m scrolling through TikTok, dodging tarot readers and laughing at memes, when I stop mid-scroll, entranced. A girl is harmonizing with a Tibetan singing bowl, and instantly, my heart drops into a state of bliss. That voice? Ethereal. That energy? Hypnotic.

Enter Larissa Lambert, the R&B siren whose vocals wash over you like warm waves. With over 800k followers and counting, she’s cultivated a digital sanctuary that blends soul, sensuality, and spiritual frequency. She first made waves with her cover of SWV’s Weak, which charted and amassed millions of streams. Since then, she’s earned praise from heavyweights like Justin Bieber and SZA, even landing a billboard in Times Square.

Over the past three years, Larissa and I have shared countless conversations about music, art, love, and everything in between. From the moment she texted, “I’m going to be in LA next week, would love to finally connect and shoot,” I knew we were about to create something special.

Together, we shot stills to commemorate the release of her music video Cardio, filmed deep in the desert as we raced against the golden hour with less than an hour of sunlight. We had just 15 minutes for photos, but somehow, we captured the shot—a visual to match the frequency she vibrates on.

To celebrate her latest single, Blame It On Me, Larissa and I caught up over FaceTime, trading laughs about memes, sharing thoughts on manifestation, and diving into the creative process behind her artistry. It’s been an incredible journey watching her evolve, and through every beat and frame, she continues to radiate the same soulful energy that first captured my heart.

What’s on your current playlist?

I’ve actually been listening to a lot of country/folk music at the moment haha. I go camping a lot, and there’s just something about listening to country when you’re in the country. My playlist changes depending on my location or mood, though. At the moment, it’s country. Tomorrow will probably be some sexy R&B. Who knows? I like everything.

If your voice had a color or element, what would it be?

Hmmm, I don’t know why but I’m picturing a lilac purple? I want to say green because it’s my favorite color, but it doesn’t feel right haha. As an element, I’d say air.

What’s your earliest memory of using your voice as a tool for healing?

I grew up in a dysfunctional family, and sometimes it could get pretty intense in the household. Whenever I was feeling emotionally overwhelmed or scared, I would hide in my room and put on karaoke versions of my favorite sad songs, performing them like they were my own—singing my heart out for hours. The release I felt, crying and singing, was so comforting. Now I realize I’m making those kinds of songs for other people to do the same.

Your music feels spiritual and sensual — where does that balance come from?

I love making music that makes me feel sexy, but I also love making music that makes me (and other people) cry haha. So I don’t know… it’s all about feeling for me when I create. Sometimes you wanna shake your ass, sometimes you wanna call your ex. I just try to give people an emotional experience every time they listen to my music.

How has your relationship with love changed over the years?

It’s changed a lot—love is so multifaceted.
I really struggled with self-love growing up. Just learning to let go and not care so much… I’ve definitely gotten better at that over time. I think it comes with growing up and unlearning all the toxic mental patterns I picked up as a kid.
Choosing a career where you’re constantly being perceived didn’t make that journey any easier—though maybe in some ways it helped. It forced me to grow thicker skin.
I’ve come a long way, let’s just say that.

What was the inspiration behind Cardio? Did the Fabolous sample come to you early on?

You know what’s crazy? When I first wrote that song, I didn’t like it. I was in a session in LA, and honestly, I just wanted to get it over and done with because I was exhausted. I’m pretty sure we made the whole thing in about two hours. It wasn’t until I sent it to producer Khaled Rohaim that it really came to life. He added the Fabolous sample and it completely changed the vibe. That’s when I started to actually like it.

How do you decide which covers to do? What draws you to a particular song?

I love to cover songs that I wish were mine, or just songs that I absolutely love and feel nostalgic about.

What’s your writing process like — do you write lyrics, melodies, or moods first?

I like to do melodies first, always. I feel it gives you the feeling of what the song should be about. There really is no recipe for songwriting, though. The best songs for me always come from a flow state, not forced. As soon as I feel like I’m trying too hard to write, I take a break.

From TikTok to Times Square, your rise has been wild. How does it feel now versus 2021?

It’s such a big difference, wow. I look back to 2021—the things I thought I was ready for then, I’m glad they’re happening now and not back then. I was in such a different headspace. I probably would’ve self-sabotaged some of the things that are happening now. Everything happens exactly when it’s supposed to.

How have co-signs from artists like SZA and Bieber impacted you, if at all?

Getting co-signs from Bieber and SZA meant so much to me. I have so much respect for their artistry, so having them show love really hit different. It felt like validation that I’m on the right path, and it made me want to go even harder. I’ll have a song with one of them soon… just wait haha.

What’s something you’re currently manifesting?

A sold-out world tour!!!

CONNECT WITH LARISSA LAMBERT:

INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY