Billboard U.K. Releases Its First Cover, Featuring Global Pop Star Dua Lipa

Billboard UK has just put out its first cover story, and it features a major pop star.

Dua Lipa graces the cover of Billboard UK as part of Billboard's Global No. 1s series, which celebrates the biggest and most successful artists internationally over the past year.

"Dua Lipa is the perfect artist to feature on our inaugural cover for Billboard UK. She’s had a bumper year in the market by headlining the prestigious Glastonbury Festival, scoring a chart-topping album and shooting her recent TV special at London’s Royal Albert Hall with another British icon – Sir Elton John," says Billboard UK editor Thomas Smith.

"But Dua’s also a citizen of the world, and proud to fly the flag for her local music scene as she meets new fans; breaking U.K. acts on the global stage is never easy, but she makes it look totally seamless."

The new story coincides with the appointment of a new dedicated editorial team based out of the U.K. led by the London-based Smith. The editor, who has over a decade's worth of experience covering artists in the country, has followed Dua Lipa since her early days on much smaller stages to her superstar status today.

Mo Ghoneim, President of Billboard UK and ArtsHouse Media Group (AMG, the same parent company as Billboard Canada), says the new cover displays the essence of the publication.

"As Billboard UK begins this exciting chapter, our focus is on capturing the heartbeat of British music and culture, showcasing the incredible talent and stories that shape our industry," he says. "With Dua Lipa on the cover, we’re setting the tone for a platform that celebrates artistry and innovation from a distinctly local perspective, while connecting it to the global stage."

Billboard's Global No. 1s series features a different artist from each of the publication's international hubs. Other editions feature Japanese hip-hop act Creepy Nuts, Chinese artist KUN, Brazil's Ana Castela and more.

Billboard Canada's entry in the Global No. 1s series, featuring a global star whose artistry transcends borders, will be revealed this Friday (Dec. 18).

Read Billboard UK's full Dua Lipa cover story here.