Carly Rae Jepsen is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actress best known for her global smash hit “Call Me Maybe.” Born on November 21, 1985, in Mission, British Columbia, Canada, she rose from a third-place finish on Canadian Idol to become one of the most celebrated pop artists of her generation.
What makes Carly Rae stand out is not just one viral song. Over nearly two decades, she has built a devoted fanbase — affectionately known as “the emotion cult” — through deeply personal, synth-driven albums that critics adore. From Broadway stages to Grammy nominations, Carly Rae Jepsen is far more than a one-hit wonder.
In 2026, she entered a new chapter of her life: she married music producer Cole Marsden Greif-Neill and announced she is expecting her first child. Here is everything you need to know about her biography, age, career, height, education, family, and net worth.
Carly Rae Jepsen — Quick Facts
| Full Name | Carly Rae Jepsen |
| Date of Birth | November 21, 1985 |
| Age (2026) | 40 years old |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Birthplace | Mission, British Columbia, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Ethnicity | Danish, English, and Scottish descent |
| Religion | Christian |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Guitarist |
| Height | 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) |
| Weight | 52 kg (115 lbs) |
| Body Measurements | 34-25-32 inches |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Brunette (often dyed red) |
| Education | Heritage Park Secondary School; Canadian College of Performing Arts |
| Father | Larry Jepsen |
| Mother | Alexandra Lanzarotta (née Jepsen) |
| Stepfather | Ron Lanzarotta |
| Siblings | Colin Jepsen (brother), Katie Jepsen (sister) |
| Husband | Cole Marsden Greif-Neill (married Oct 2025) |
| Children | Expecting first child (announced Nov 2025) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $10 million (2026) |
| Active Since | 2007 |
| Record Labels | 604 Records, Schoolboy Records, Interscope Records |
| Social Media | @carlyraejepsen (Instagram, Twitter/X) |
Carly Rae Jepsen Early Life and Childhood
Carly Rae Jepsen was born in Mission, a small city in British Columbia, Canada. She is the second of three children born to Alexandra and Larry Jepsen. Her older brother is Colin, and her younger sister is Katie. After her parents divorced, Carly grew up with her mother and stepfather, Ron Lanzarotta.
Music and storytelling were always part of her life. Her parents and stepparents were all teachers, which gave Carly a strong sense of discipline and a deep appreciation for learning. From a very young age, she was drawn to musical theatre, and her family fully supported her artistic pursuits.
As a child, Carly made her parents a sweet promise — she would one day buy them a home by the sea. She later fulfilled that promise, a reflection of the warmth and loyalty that runs through her music to this day.
Carly Rae Jepsen Education
Carly Rae Jepsen attended Heritage Park Secondary School in Mission, British Columbia. There, she developed a deep passion for musical theatre, taking on lead roles in school productions. She played Annie in Annie, Sandy Olsson in Grease, and Dorothy in The Wiz.
Her high school drama teacher, Beverly Holmes, saw exceptional talent in Carly and strongly encouraged her to audition for the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA) in Victoria, British Columbia. Carly was accepted — one of only 25 female students admitted to the year-long program in 2004.
Midway through the program, Carly realized that her true passion was not acting or dancing but songwriting and performing original music. She made the bold decision to leave and pursue music full-time. She later described the experience as valuable, saying it helped her understand exactly what she wanted from her career.
After leaving CCPA, Carly relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia, where she worked multiple part-time jobs — including as a barista, bartender, and pastry chef’s assistant — while writing songs and performing at local pubs and open-mic nights. She called this the “happiest time of her life.”
Carly Rae Jepsen Career
Canadian Idol and the Beginning (2007–2011)
Carly Rae Jepsen’s professional music journey began in 2007 when she auditioned for Season 5 of Canadian Idol. She finished in third place, delivering a powerful performance of her original song. Though she did not win, the exposure was massive. It connected her with music manager Jonathan Simkin, who helped her sign with 604 Records.
Her debut single, a cover of John Denver’s “Sunshine on My Shoulders,” was released in mid-2008. That September, her debut album Tug of War followed — a folk-influenced record that sold around 80,000 copies in Canada and placed two singles on the Canadian Hot 100. It was a modest but promising start.
Over the next few years, Carly continued writing music and performing. In 2009, she collaborated with Josh Ramsay of Marianas Trench on a song called “Sour Candy.” She was building her craft steadily, and something much bigger was on the horizon.
Call Me Maybe and Global Breakthrough (2012)
In 2011, Carly co-wrote a bubbly, infectious pop song with Ryan Stewart and Tavish Crowe. That song was “Call Me Maybe.” It was released in Canada in September 2011 and got noticed by Justin Bieber, who tweeted about it to his millions of followers in early 2012.
The tweet changed everything. “Call Me Maybe” became the best-selling single of 2012 worldwide, topping charts in 18 countries including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. It earned Carly Grammy nominations for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. The viral video, featuring Bieber, Selena Gomez, and friends lip-syncing, helped it rack up over 1 billion YouTube views.
That same year, Carly signed with Schoolboy Records (an Interscope-affiliated label) and released her second album, Kiss (2012), which went gold in multiple countries. She also recorded “Good Time” with Owl City, another chart hit that showcased her pop range.
E·MO·TION Era and Critical Reinvention (2015–2019)
If “Call Me Maybe” made Carly Rae Jepsen famous, then E·MO·TION (2015) made her legendary. The album was a masterclass in 80s-inspired synth-pop — layered, emotional, and deeply personal. Though it had modest chart performance, music critics placed it among the best pop albums of the decade.
E·MO·TION Side B (2016), a surprise companion EP, further cemented her reputation as one of the most innovative songwriters in contemporary pop. Fans and critics began describing her music as “criminally underrated.”
In 2019, she released Dedicated, her fifth studio album. It debuted with 21,000 in total first-week consumption and received widespread critical praise. The album explored themes of longing, self-discovery, and heartache with a lush, romantic sound. Dedicated Side B followed in 2020, adding even more fan-favourite tracks.
The Loneliest Time and Beyond (2022–present)
Carly’s sixth studio album, The Loneliest Time (2022), saw her experiment further — blending disco, new wave, and heartfelt balladry. Collaborations with artists like Rufus Wainwright gave the album a theatrical richness. Critics and fans embraced it warmly.
In October 2020, she released the charming seasonal single “It’s Not Christmas Till Somebody Cries,” which peaked at No. 11 on the US Holiday Digital Songs chart. Her songwriting continued to evolve, and anticipation for new music remains high among her dedicated fanbase.
Carly Rae Jepsen Acting Career and Filmography
Beyond music, Carly Rae Jepsen has shown real range as a performer on stage and screen. Here is a summary of her most notable acting work:
- Broadway (2014): Played the lead role of Cinderella in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Broadway Theatre in New York. She performed for 12 weeks and received strong reviews.
- Grease: Live (2016): Played the beloved role of Frenchy in Fox’s live television special, watched by millions.
- Ballerina (2016): Voiced the character Odette in this animated musical comedy film. It was her first major voice acting role.
- Various Television Appearances: Has appeared on several TV shows and award broadcasts, often performing or guest-starring.
Her acting work shows that Carly Rae Jepsen is a versatile artist, equally at home on a Broadway stage as she is in a recording studio.
Carly Rae Jepsen Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
Carly Rae Jepsen stands at 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) and weighs approximately 52 kg (115 lbs). She has naturally brunette hair — often dyed a distinctive red — and striking blue eyes.
| Height | 5 ft 2 in / 157 cm |
| Weight | 52 kg / 115 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 34-25-32 inches |
| Bra Size | 32B |
| Dress Size | 4 (US) |
| Shoe Size | 6.5 (US) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Brunette (often dyed red) |
Carly Rae Jepsen Family
Carly Rae Jepsen was raised in a loving, music-filled household in Mission, British Columbia. Her parents were both educators, and their passion for music deeply influenced her.
Father: Larry Jepsen — a teacher who taught Carly to play the guitar when she was a teenager. She wrote her first proper original song with his guidance.
Mother: Alexandra Lanzarotta (born Alexandra Jepsen) — also a teacher, fully supportive of Carly’s artistic path from the very beginning.
Stepfather: Ron Lanzarotta — After Carly’s parents divorced, she grew up with her mother and stepfather. He was also a teacher, reinforcing the educational atmosphere of her childhood.
Brother: Colin Jepsen — Carly’s older brother.
Sister: Katie Jepsen — Carly’s younger sister.
Carly’s family has always been a private but steady source of support. Many of her songs touch on themes of home, belonging, and the warmth of close relationships — a direct reflection of the upbringing she cherishes.
Carly Rae Jepsen Boyfriend, Husband, and Relationship History
Carly Rae Jepsen has been relatively private about her personal life, but here is a complete and accurate timeline of her known relationships:
Jordi Ashworth (2011–2012): Carly dated Canadian architect Jordi Ashworth in 2011. She dedicated “Call Me Maybe” to him. He also inspired the Emotion track “Black Heart.”
Matthew Koma (2012–2014): After her global breakthrough, Carly dated American singer, DJ, and producer Matthew Koma. They split amicably in 2014.
David Kalani Larkins (2015–2017): Carly then dated photographer David Kalani Larkins for roughly two years.
James Flannigan (2017–c.2020): She later dated British songwriter and producer James Flannigan. The two met at a songwriting camp and also collaborated on her Dedicated album.
Cole Marsden Greif-Neill — Husband (2022–present): In 2022, Carly began dating Cole Marsden Greif-Neill, known professionally as Cole M.G.N., a Grammy-winning American music producer. The couple announced their engagement in September 2024 and were married in an intimate ceremony in New York City on October 4, 2025. In November 2025, Carly announced they are expecting their first child together.
This timeline corrects outdated information found across many celebrity biography websites, which still list her as dating earlier partners. As of 2026, Carly Rae Jepsen is married and pregnant with her first child.
Carly Rae Jepsen Net Worth
Carly Rae Jepsen’s net worth is estimated at approximately $10 million (2026). Her wealth comes from multiple income streams built over nearly two decades in the music industry.
- Album Sales: She has sold over 25 million records worldwide. “Call Me Maybe” alone sold over 17 million copies.
- World Tours: Her global concert tours across North America and Europe have been major revenue generators.
- Streaming Royalties: Millions of monthly streams across Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube generate ongoing passive income.
- Brand Endorsements: Partnerships with Candie’s Foundation, Burt’s Bees, Coca-Cola, and Wet Seal have added significant income.
- Songwriting Royalties: As a co-writer on the vast majority of her songs, she earns royalties every time her music is played or licensed.
- Merchandise: She sells merchandise through her official website and at live events.
- Broadway and Acting Work: Her stage roles add to her career earnings and raise her professional profile.
Carly Rae Jepsen Awards and Nominations
Carly Rae Jepsen has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career. Below is a comprehensive overview:
| Year | Award / Organisation | Category / Result |
| 2013 | Grammy Awards | Song of the Year — Nominated |
| 2013 | Grammy Awards | Best Pop Solo Performance — Nominated |
| 2013 | American Music Awards | New Artist of the Year — Won |
| 2013 | Billboard Music Awards | Top Digital Song — Won |
| 2013 | Billboard Music Awards | Top Radio Songs Artist — Won |
| 2014 | Juno Awards (Canada) | Pop Album of the Year — Nominated |
| 2016 | Slaight Award | Canadian Walk of Fame — Won |
| 2019 | Juno Awards | Adult Contemporary Album — Nominated |
| 2022 | Polaris Music Prize | The Loneliest Time — Longlisted |
Carly Rae Jepsen Discography
Carly Rae Jepsen has released six studio albums and multiple EPs over her career. Each album marks a distinct creative evolution:
| Year | Album | Label | Chart Peak |
| 2008 | Tug of War | 604 / Fontana North | Canada: #42 |
| 2012 | Kiss | 604 / Schoolboy / Interscope | US: #6 | Canada: #3 |
| 2015 | E·MO·TION | 604 / Interscope / School Boy | US: #16 | Canada: #3 |
| 2019 | Dedicated | 604 / Schoolboy / Interscope | US: #18 | Canada: #5 |
| 2020 | Dedicated Side B (EP) | 604 / Schoolboy | EP |
| 2022 | The Loneliest Time | 604 / Schoolboy | US: #24 | Canada: #2 |
Carly Rae Jepsen and the LGBTQ+ Community
Carly Rae Jepsen is one of pop music’s most beloved LGBTQ+ allies and has been called a gay icon by fans and media. Her music — especially E·MO·TION and Dedicated — resonates deeply with queer audiences for its emotional honesty, yearning romanticism, and universal depictions of love.
She has performed at numerous LGBTQ+ events and Pride concerts and has spoken publicly about her support for the community. Notably, she refused to perform at the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree in 2013 in response to the organization’s discriminatory policies toward gay people. That act of principled activism earned her enormous respect.
Her fanbase is famously diverse and passionate. Many LGBTQ+ listeners see Carly’s music as a safe space — a joyful, heartfelt celebration of emotion in all its forms.
Carly Rae Jepsen Social Media and Online Presence
Carly Rae Jepsen is active on major social media platforms, where she connects with millions of fans worldwide:
- Instagram (@carlyraejepsen): Over 2.2 million followers. She shares personal updates, tour photos, and music announcements.
- Twitter / X (@carlyraejepsen): Over 9 million followers. One of her most active platforms.
- YouTube: Over 4.2 million subscribers. Her music videos and live performances attract millions of views.
- Facebook: Over 10 million page likes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carly Rae Jepsen
How old is Carly Rae Jepsen?
Carly Rae Jepsen is 40 years old as of 2026. She was born on November 21, 1985.
How tall is Carly Rae Jepsen?
Carly Rae Jepsen is 5 feet 2 inches tall, which is 157 cm. She weighs approximately 52 kg (115 lbs).
What is Carly Rae Jepsen’s net worth?
Her net worth is estimated at around $10 million, earned through album sales, tours, endorsements, and songwriting royalties.
Is Carly Rae Jepsen married?
Yes. Carly Rae Jepsen married music producer Cole Marsden Greif-Neill (Cole M.G.N.) in an intimate ceremony in New York City on October 4, 2026.
Does Carly Rae Jepsen have children?
She announced in November 2025 that she and her husband Cole are expecting their first child. As of early 2026, she has not yet given birth.
Final Thoughts
Carly Rae Jepsen is one of Canada’s most enduring musical talents. She turned a third-place Canadian Idol finish into a career that spans Grammy nominations, Broadway leads, global tours, and critically revered albums.
From the girl who sang in school productions of Annie and Grease to the woman who filled stadiums with emotionally rich pop anthems, Carly Rae Jepsen’s story is one of talent, persistence, and authenticity. Her music reminds us that pop can be intelligent, deeply emotional, and utterly joyful — all at once.
Now married and preparing for motherhood, Carly Rae Jepsen is entering the most exciting chapter of her life. Her fans — and the world — cannot wait to see what comes next.