MAGAZINE

Aria Mody Is Building a Global Pop Empire Before 20 And the Industry Is Paying Attention

written by

JUSTINE SLATER

In a city full of dreamers, it’s rare to find an artist whose talent, work ethic, and raw potential collide this early and this powerfully. But 18-year-old Aria Mody, the Los Angeles–based singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, isn’t just another young artist trying to break through. She’s already building a global footprint that many established acts spend a lifetime chasing.

What began as a six-year-old writing her first original song, “God Make My Life Come True,” has evolved into a fast-moving career rooted in musicality, discipline, and ambition. Today, Aria stands under a major joint label venture with ALPHA Recording Group, Universal Music Group, and Virgin Music Group, a rare co-sign for a newcomer and a testament to how seriously the industry is taking her ascent.

Guiding the strategy behind her launch is A&R and business manager Luciano Layne, a Grammy-nominated executive shaping some of the most important new voices of the decade. At her core, her personal manager and mother, Parul Mody, remains the anchor of the operation, the person who has championed her vision since day one.

A CHILDHOOD BUILT ON MUSIC & A WORK ETHIC BEYOND HER YEARS

Aria’s story is steeped in early intentionality. While most kids were learning basic melodies, she was already writing songs, playing multiple instruments, and studying performance with a seriousness far beyond her age. She mastered piano, bass, guitar, and alto saxophone, while training vocally with the legendary Seth Riggs, the vocal architect behind Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Janet Jackson, and Ray Charles. That training continues today under Eric Vetro’s BBC Maestro program, sharpening her tone and elevating her technique.

Her early achievements read like a blueprint for what was coming: three years representing her school at state and national Honor Choir levels, and a national win at age seven in the Miss American Pageant for singing and talent.

A BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT IN L.A.

December 2023 marked a pivotal moment: At iPOP Los Angeles, Aria became the most talked-about new face in the building earning the highest

number of callbacks, winning the YouTube National Anthem Competition, and sweeping categories including Actor of the Year, Singer of the Year, TV Commercial, and Best Headshot.

That same month, she stepped into the studio with multi-Grammy-winning producer Derek “DOA” Allen (Lionel Richie, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton). Together, they created nine original records all written by Aria, with five co-produced by her signaling the arrival of a young artist with creative control and a fully formed point of view.

THE NUMBERS DON'T LIE

Aria’s catalog is already building serious traction:

• “Talk About It” 1.4M+ views

• “TMO (Te Amo I Love You)” 3.6M+ views

• “All Night” 2M+ views

• “Made in India” 1M+ views within 1 month

• “Made in India (Remix)” 1M+ views in under 30 days + submitted for Grammy consideration

Five of her releases have already made their way into Rolling Stone Magazine, bringing visibility that many emerging artists spend years trying to achieve.

A GLOBAL IDENTITY IN A GLOBAL ERA

As a biracial artist Indian and Caucasian Aria’s music occupies a sonic lane that feels both familiar and entirely its own. She blends Eastern and Western influences with a precision that feels intentional, refreshing, and reflective of a generation raised on cultural fusion. Her visuals reflect her ambition. She's worked with choreographers whose

credits include Beyoncé, Cardi B, Camila Cabello, and Demi Lovato, giving her artistry a polished, international edge.

HOLLYWOOD IS CALLING

Aria recently wrapped filming on two IMDb-recognized Hollywood films, both slated for release next year a move that positions her not only as a musician, but as a multi-hyphenated entertainer in the making.

A CAREER MOVING FASTER THAN THE INDUSTRY CAN BLINK

Now living in Los Angeles and taking a gap semester to focus on her career, Aria Mody is operating at a pace that feels undeniable. With a powerhouse team, a major-label-backed joint venture, and a sound built for a global audience, she’s not just preparing for the spotlight she’s stepping into it with the confidence of someone who already understands her place in the future of pop.

She’s young. She’s driven. She’s generational. And if the past year is any indication, Aria Mody isn’t just rising she’s on the verge of becoming the world’s next global pop force.