In the vast, intertwined world of music, where serendipity often plays a hand in forging the most unexpected collaborations, the friendship between Ed Sheeran and Zara Larsson was nothing short of magical. Both artists, hailing from vastly different backgrounds—Ed from the quiet, pastoral scenes of Halifax, England, and Zara from the pop-drenched streets of Stockholm, Sweden—seemed destined for stardom from a young age. But what brought them together was something far deeper than their hit singles or chart-topping albums: their unrelenting passion for music, and the genuine joy they found in each other’s talent.

It all began in 2017, at an awards show in London. Zara Larsson, who was still rising swiftly with her breakthrough single “Lush Life,” caught Sheeran’s attention during her performance. Sheeran, already a global star with his albums shaping the modern music landscape, was immediately taken aback by her powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. After the show, Sheeran, never one to shy away from extending his admiration, approached Zara backstage with one simple message: “You’re going to take over the world.”

Zara, who idolized Sheeran for his lyrical depth and songwriting prowess, was starstruck. “I remember thinking, ‘This can’t be real,’” she later recalled in an interview. “Here was Ed Sheeran, one of the biggest artists in the world, telling me he liked my music. I was over the moon.”

That night, they exchanged numbers, and their friendship blossomed from there. What started as a mutual admiration for each other’s work quickly turned into a deeper bond, with both artists finding solace in their shared struggles and triumphs in the industry. Music had brought them together, and music would continue to fuel their friendship in the years that followed.

Mutual Support: Highlighting Specific Instances Where They Supported Each Other

Over the years, Ed Sheeran and Zara Larsson’s friendship has been marked by numerous moments of public and private support. Early on, Sheeran would often use his platform to champion Larsson’s music, urging his millions of fans to pay attention to this emerging pop star. In 2018, when Larsson dropped her debut studio album So Good, Sheeran was one of the first to share it on social media, writing a heartfelt post about how Zara was “the real deal” and an artist that the world should pay attention to.

Larsson, in turn, has been equally supportive of Sheeran. During the release of Sheeran’s Divide album, Zara was quick to praise his songwriting and innovative approach to music. In interviews, she often referred to Ed as an inspiration, stating that his ability to tell stories through his lyrics was something she aspired to in her own career. When Sheeran won multiple awards for Shape of You, Zara sent out congratulatory messages, even sharing her own rendition of the track during a live performance—a tribute that Ed humbly acknowledged with a playful tweet, calling her version “better than mine.”

But perhaps the most touching moment of mutual support came during Zara’s performance at the 2019 BRIT Awards. Unbeknownst to many, Zara had been battling severe anxiety before her performance that night. In an interview later, she revealed how Ed had texted her just moments before she went on stage, offering words of encouragement and reminding her to “breathe and let the music take over.” Those simple words helped Zara calm her nerves, and she delivered a stunning performance that night.

Sheeran’s support wasn’t just about the music—it was about the person. “He’s always been there, even when it’s not about the career stuff,” Zara once said. “Ed’s the type of friend who just checks in to see how you’re doing. That’s rare in this industry.”

Creative Collaborations: Projects They’ve Worked on Together

In the world of music, collaboration often serves as the ultimate testament to artistic respect. For Ed Sheeran and Zara Larsson, their professional chemistry naturally progressed from their friendship. Fans have speculated for years about when the two might collaborate on a song, and though they’ve worked on smaller projects behind the scenes, one of the most prominent moments came during the writing sessions for Zara’s sophomore album.

Sheeran, known for his prolific songwriting, helped co-write a track for Larsson that remains unreleased, but it is often talked about by those in the know as a hidden gem in both artists’ catalogs. Zara has teased its existence, calling it “one of the most honest songs I’ve ever written,” and credits Sheeran for helping her tap into emotions she hadn’t previously explored in her music.

“It was a really intimate writing session,” Zara explained. “Ed has this ability to pull out the rawest emotions from you, and we ended up writing a song that was deeply personal to me. I think we both cried at some point during the process.”

Though fans eagerly await an official collaboration, the two have occasionally shared the stage. In 2020, during one of Sheeran’s massive stadium tours, he invited Zara to join him for a surprise duet of his hit “Perfect.” Their voices blended seamlessly, and the performance went viral, with many fans hoping it was the beginning of more joint musical ventures. Sheeran later commented on the performance, saying, “Zara’s voice is just pure magic. Singing with her was one of those moments where you feel the power of music in a whole new way.”

Inspiring Each Other: How Their Friendship Has Influenced Their Creativity

When two creative minds like Ed Sheeran and Zara Larsson come together, it’s inevitable that they inspire each other to push boundaries. For both artists, their friendship has been a source of motivation, leading them to take risks in their respective careers.

Zara, who has always been a pop artist at heart, credits Ed for helping her expand her songwriting approach. “Ed’s not afraid to mix genres, to experiment with different sounds,” Zara said in a 2021 interview. “I used to be a lot more focused on sticking to one style, but seeing how Ed can effortlessly move between pop, folk, and even rap has made me more open to trying new things.”

This influence was evident in Zara’s latest album, where she ventured into more acoustic-driven tracks—something that fans couldn’t help but notice had a Sheeran-esque quality. One track, in particular, features raw, stripped-down instrumentation, with Zara’s vocals taking center stage—a stark contrast to the high-energy pop anthems she’s known for.

Sheeran, too, has acknowledged Zara’s impact on his work. In a candid interview, he shared how Zara’s fearlessness in embracing her Swedish pop roots had inspired him to revisit his own musical origins. “Zara has this incredible confidence in her sound. It’s infectious,” Sheeran said. “It reminded me to stay true to where I started, to not lose sight of the essence of what makes my music, my music.”

Public Reactions and Fanbase: How Their Collaboration and Friendship Have Been Received

Whenever Ed Sheeran and Zara Larsson appear together—whether on stage or in interviews—it’s clear that fans are just as invested in their friendship as they are in their music. Social media lights up with praise, with fans from both camps expressing excitement over their collaborations and the genuine bond they share.

The viral 2020 duet was a turning point in the public’s perception of their friendship. Many fans, who had been aware of their behind-the-scenes connection, were thrilled to see them perform together, with Twitter and Instagram flooded with comments like “Ed and Zara are the duo we didn’t know we needed!” and “Please give us a full album of these two ASAP.”

Their collaboration has sparked fan-made mashups and covers, with countless YouTube videos featuring renditions of their individual songs blended together. The hashtag #EdAndZara frequently trends whenever the two interact publicly, with fans calling for more joint projects and celebrating their mutual support.

Future Collaborations: What Lies Ahead for Ed Sheeran and Zara Larsson

As two of the most dynamic forces in pop music today, the future for Ed Sheeran and Zara Larsson’s collaboration seems full of promise. Both have expressed interest in working together again, and with their track record of successful interactions, it’s only a matter of time before they grace the studio with another powerful anthem.

Fans speculate that their next collaboration could be more than just a single—possibly even an EP or a joint tour. Zara has hinted in interviews that they’ve discussed the possibility of a full-length project, and Sheeran has mentioned wanting to explore more duets in the coming years.

With Sheeran’s ability to craft global hits and Zara’s powerful vocal range, the combination is undeniably electric. Their friendship, rooted in mutual respect and shared creative vision, promises that whatever they do next will be nothing short of spectacular.