NZ-Croatian Teen Makes Time Magazine’s Most Influential Teenagers in the World

She is only just 17 years of age but already has a No 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the seventh week running and has a $2.5 million publishing deal with Songs Music Publishing. New Zealand born teen Ella Yelich-O’Connor, whose mother Sonja has Croatian roots, has just appeared in Time magazine’s most influential teenagers in the world list…

The list recognises just 16 teenagers around the world, including the young Pakistani activist who was shot in the head for standing up for the education of girls under Taliban rule Malala Yousafzai, Justin Bieber and Barack Obama’s daughter Malia.

Yelich-O’Connor, who is more recognisable by her stage name Lorde, became the first New Zealand solo artist to have a No 1 song in the United States with her tune ‘Royals’. The popular song also peaked on top of the British single charts. Lorde has even surpassed Miley Cyrus in September for the iTunes top spot. Recently Yelich-O’Connor turned down the chance to tour with Katy Perry, saying that it ‘didnt feel right’.