Watch Dua Lipa Sing a Surprise Cover of Lorde's ‘Royals'
You can call her Queen Li? At her Auckland, New Zealand, concert Wednesday (April 2), Dua Lipa paid tribute to the country's biggest pop star by performing a cover of Lorde's 'Royals.'
In clips from the show, the 'Levitating' artist looks glamorous in a lacy black bodysuit and fuzzy cream shawl as she commands the stage at Spark Arena. 'We're bigger than we ever dreamed, and I'm in love with being queen,' she sings over the lush harmonies of her backup singers, holding up her hands in the shape of a crown above her head. 'And we'll never be royals/ It don't run in our blood/ That kind of luxe just ain't for us/ We crave a different kind of buzz.'
More from Billboard
Dua Lipa 'Levitating' Win, Tony Bennett Family Feud, Del Villar Guilty Verdict & More Music Law
The Hives Plot World Tour to Accompany New Album, 'The Hives Forever Forever The Hives'
Morgan Wallen Launches 'Get Me to God's Country' Merch Following 'SNL' Walk-Off
'Let me be your ruler/ You can call me queen bee,' Dua continues, dancing along to the music as fans in the crowd loudly sing the lyrics with her. 'And baby, I'll rule/ Let me live that fantasy.'
The 'Royals' cover was a special treat for the fans at her show in Auckland, where she's set to perform a second sold-out night at Spark Arena on Friday (April 4). Dua will next bring her Radical Optimism Tour — supporting 2024's album of the same name — to Europe for a slew of dates in the spring and summer, followed by North America and Latin America in the fall.
Released in 2013, 'Royals' marked the 'Green Light' singer's debut single and breakout smash, spending nine weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track later found a home on Lorde's first album, Pure Heroine, which bowed at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
Lorde hasn't released an album since 2021's Solar Power. She's been steadily teasing in recent months that she's back in the studio, however, and appeared on Charli xcx 'girl, so confusing' remix last year.
Watch Dua sing Lorde's 'Royals' in Auckland below.
Best of Billboard
Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1
Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits
H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Cloonee Postpones L.A. Shows Amid ICE Raids: ‘I Will Not Throw a Party Whilst the Latino People Who Have Supported Me in This City Are Hurting'
As protests continue in Los Angeles following sweeping ICE raids, electronic producer Cloonee has postponed a pair of shows meant to happen in the city this weekend. 'For the past four years now, I have called this city my home,' the British artist wrote Tuesday (June 10) in a statement posted to social media. 'Like the city, my fans are diverse and it breaks my heart to see what the Latino community is going through right now. More from Billboard Doechii Calls Out ICE Raids & President Trump at 2025 BET Awards: 'People Are Being Swept Up & Torn From Their Families' Leon Thomas' 'Mutt' Snatches Third Radio Crown of 2025 The Alchemist Could've Been on Lil Wayne's 'Tha Carter VI': 'I Was Just Overthinking It' 'I have therefore decided that the right, responsible and only decision is to postpone this weekend's events,' he continues. 'Our time together is meant to be one of celebration, and now is not the time for celebrating.' Read the complete statement below. These shows were scheduled to happen June 13-14 at City Market in downtown Los Angeles, an area of town that's seen myriad raids by ICE amid federal immigration efforts. Cloonee's shows are now scheduled to happen July 11-12, with all tickets valid for the corresponding new dates, with refunds also available for the next seven days. According to the L.A. Times, an immigrants-rights leader in the city reported that 'about 300 people have been detained by federal authorities in California since sweeps began last week.' The situation has been inflamed after the Trump administration deployed the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles amid protests over ICE raids. Cloonee is one of many artists who's spoken out on the ICE raids and their aftermath, with Doechii using her speech at the BET Awards in Los Angeles on Monday (June 9) to say that 'I do wanna address what's happening right now outside of the building. There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order. Trump is using military force to stop a protest. And I want y'all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that?' 'For the past four years now, I have called this city my home. Like the city, my fans are diverse and it breaks my heart to see what the Latino community is going through right now.I have therefore decided that the right, responsible and only decision is to postpone this weekend's events. Our time together is meant to be one of celebration, and now is not the time for are moving this weekend's shows to the new dates of Friday, July 11th and Saturday, July 12th. All tickets will remain valid for the new corresponding date. If you are unable to join us at that time, you may cancel your tickets for a full refund in the next 7 days. All ticket buyers will receive an email to the address used to purchase the tickets with a refund link, or reach out to our team at understand this may upset a large number of ticket holders who, like myself, have waited months for these shows, and I do not take this decision lightly.I see you, I hear you and I simply will not throw a party whilst the Latino people who have supported me in this city are hurting so take care of yourselves, prioritize your safety and your community above all else. I will make this up to you in a months Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Blockbuster Film That Finally Gave This 1970s Icon a Chart-Topping Hit
The Blockbuster Film That Finally Gave This 1970s Icon a Chart-Topping Hit originally appeared on Parade. After rising to fame in both television and film, this 1970s icon finally scored a chart-topping hit. This breakout single soared to No. 1 two years after their debut track first made waves in 1976. John Travolta, who rose to fame as Vinny Barbarino on ABC's Welcome Back, Kotter, was on the brink of superstardom by the mid-1970s. His status as a leading man was cemented with a starring role in the feature film Saturday Night Fever. However, Travolta didn't realize the impact Saturday Night Fever would have on his career when he wrapped that film and headed directly into pre-production for Grease. It was Grease that catapulted the New Jersey native into the stratosphere, and the soundtrack gave him his first number one hit on the Billboard charts in 1978. On June 10, 1978, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John hit No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with 'You're the One That I Want.' The smash duet was one of two songs, along with 'Hopelessly Devoted to You,' written by Australian producer and musician John Farrar specifically for Newton-John's role in the film. The track's success helped turn the movie's soundtrack into a cultural phenomenon. Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Along with "You're the One That I Want," Travolta sang on the tunes "Summer Nights," "Sandy," "We Go Together," "Summer Nights," and "Greased Lightnin." Grease became the highest-grossing musical at the time, and its soundtrack was a massive hit, further boosting Travolta's profile. Grease set the stage for further success in Travolta's career, leading to roles in films like Urban Cowboy and Blow Out. Previously, the actor hit the music charts in 1976 with a remake of the Gary Benson song "Let Her In." It peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard charts in July 1976. The Blockbuster Film That Finally Gave This 1970s Icon a Chart-Topping Hit first appeared on Parade on Jun 10, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Princess Catharina-Amalia Hospitalized After Horseback-Riding Incident
Princess Catharina-Amalia sustained injuries after falling off her horse, the Dutch royal palace shared The princess will undergo surgery, the palace said Her mother, Queen Maxima, reportedly left an engagement at The Hague early because of her daughter's accidentPrincess Catharina-Amalia, the eldest daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, has been hospitalized following a horseback-riding incident, the Dutch royal palace confirmed. In a statement posted to the palace's website on Tuesday, June 10, officials shared that the 21-year-old heir to the Dutch throne suffered a fall. "The Princess of Orange broke her upper arm today after falling from her horse. She will undergo surgery at the UMC Utrecht," an English translation of the statement read. "More information will follow as soon as it becomes clear what the possible consequences are for official obligations and other agreements." While the palace did not provide additional information, both Hello! and the Daily Express reported that Princess Amalia's mother Queen Maxima left early from her engagement with the MIND Us Foundation at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague on Tuesday. The princess is a longtime equestrian, and the palace's official website features photos of Princess Amalia riding her horse Mojito, and notes that she "enjoys horse riding, tennis and singing" in her free time. Princess Amalia isn't the only high-profile royal to suffer a horse-related incident in recent years. Princess Anne was hospitalized in June 2024 with a concussion thought to be caused by impact with a horse on her Gatcombe Park estate. Anne, 74, said she could not remember "a single thing" about the incident one month after her hospitalization. While reflecting on her injuries during a trip to South Africa earlier this year, the Princess Royal told the Press Association that the experience taught her 'every day is a bonus," per the BBC. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! 'It just reminds you, shows you — you never quite know, something [happens] and you might not recover,' she said, adding, 'You're jolly lucky … if you can continue to be more or less compos mentis [of sound mind], and last summer I was very close to not being. Take each day as it comes, they say." She later made an emotional return to the hospital where she was treated after the incident, and thanked staffers who cared for her. When she and her family take part in Trooping the Colour on Saturday, June 14, the Princess Royal is expected to ride on horseback alongside Prince William and Prince Edward. Read the original article on People