The Kid LAROI Bio: Australia’s Global Sensation, Age, Real Name, Net Worth, Family Life, Juice WRLD Legacy & 2026 Recent Works

Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard, known professionally as The Kid LAROI, is a multi-platinum Australian singer, songwriter, and rapper who has become one of the most influential voices of the 2020s. Rising from humble beginnings in Sydney to achieving global superstardom, he is best known for his chart-topping collaborations and his ability to blend raw emotional lyrics with infectious pop-rap melodies. This comprehensive The Kid LAROI bio explores his rapid ascent, his deep connection to his Indigenous Australian roots, and his continued dominance in the music industry heading into 2026.

Quick Facts

Category	Details
Full Name	Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard
Nickname	The Kid LAROI
Profession	Singer, Rapper, Songwriter
Date of Birth	August 17, 2003
Age	22 years 9 months old
Birthplace	Waterloo, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Ethnicity	Kamilaroi (Indigenous Australian) and European
Zodiac Sign	Leo
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	143 lbs (65 kg)
Hair Color	Blonde / Light Brown
Eye Color	Blue
Education	Australian Business Christian Academy (Left early to pursue music)
Religion	Christian
Marital Status	Unmarried
Parents	Nick Howard (Father), Sloane Howard (Mother)
Siblings	Austin Howard (Brother)
Known For	“Stay” (with Justin Bieber), “Without You,” “Go,” and his mentorship under Juice WRLD
Net Worth (2026)	Estimated $20 Million – $25 Million
Years Active	2018–Present
Current Residence	Los Angeles, California, USA

Early Life & Education

Childhood

Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard was born on August 17, 2003, in Waterloo, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. His stage name, “LAROI,” is a tribute to the Kamilaroi (or Gamilaraay) people, the Indigenous Australian nation from which his maternal great-grandfather was a part. Growing up, Charlton’s life was far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. His family faced significant financial hardships, often moving between different housing commissions in Redfern and Waterloo.

His mother, Sloane Howard, was a major influence on his early life, exposing him to a wide variety of music, ranging from Fugees and Erykah Badu to Tupac and Nirvana. His father, Nick Howard, was a music producer and sound engineer who worked with various Australian artists, though he was not consistently present during Charlton’s formative years. The struggle of his upbringing—witnessing poverty and neighborhood violence—became the primary fuel for his songwriting, allowing him to connect with fans through a lens of authentic struggle.

School Years

Charlton attended the Australian Business Christian Academy, a private school, but he often felt like an outsider. His focus was never on academics; instead, he spent his time writing lyrics in the back of his notebooks and recording demos on his phone. By the age of 14, he was already performing at local venues and building a small but loyal following in the Sydney underground scene.

Artistic Training

The Kid LAROI did not have formal vocal training in the traditional sense. His “training” came from the vibrant, competitive atmosphere of the Sydney rap scene and his early experimentation with GarageBand. He began uploading tracks to SoundCloud, where his unique voice—a raspy, emotive tenor—caught the attention of local industry insiders. His breakout moment came in 2018 when he was named a finalist in the Triple J Unearthed High competition, a prestigious platform for young Australian talent.

Career Journey

2018–2019: The Birth of a Sensation and the Juice WRLD Legacy

The Kid LAROI’s career trajectory changed forever when he signed a development deal that led him to cross paths with Grade A Productions and Columbia Records. In 2019, he was selected to be the opening act for Juice WRLD during the late rapper’s Australian tour. The two formed an immediate and profound bond. Juice WRLD became more than just a mentor; he was a “big brother” figure who taught LAROI the nuances of melodic rap and freestyle recording.

Following Juice WRLD’s tragic passing in December 2019, LAROI’s debut commercial project, the mixtape Fck Love*, featured the hit “Go,” a collaboration with his late mentor. The song served as a bittersweet passing of the torch and solidified LAROI’s status as a rising global force.

2020–2022: Global Dominance and “Stay”

In 2020, Fck Love was released, eventually reaching number one on the Billboard 200, making LAROI the youngest Australian solo artist to achieve this feat. The project was expanded multiple times (Savage, Over You*), spawning the massive hit “Without You.” The song’s popularity skyrocketed further after a remix featuring Miley Cyrus.

However, it was the 2021 release of “Stay” with Justin Bieber that catapulted him into the stratosphere of pop royalty. The song spent multiple weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the fastest songs in history to surpass 2 billion streams on Spotify. By 2022, LAROI was a household name, performing at the Grammy Awards and headlining sold-out shows across Europe, Asia, and North America.

2023–2025: The First Time and Artistic Maturity

In late 2023, LAROI released his highly anticipated debut studio album, The First Time. Moving away from the “teen angst” themes of his earlier mixtapes, this album explored more complex themes of fame, heartbreak, and personal growth. Singles like “Love Again” and “Too Much” (featuring Jung Kook and Central Cee) demonstrated his ability to curate global sounds.

Throughout 2024 and 2025, LAROI focused on live performances, launching the “The First Time World Tour.” He also became heavily involved in fashion and creative direction, collaborating with major luxury brands and appearing on the covers of Vogue and GQ.

2026: Recent Works and Future Outlook

As of 2026, The Kid LAROI has evolved into a seasoned artist. Recent activity includes the release of his latest project, rumored to be titled A New Chapter, which leans heavily into alternative rock and soul influences. He has spent the early part of 2026 collaborating with experimental producers to further distance himself from the “rapper” label, preferring the title of a “genre-less artist.” His 2026 stadium tour in Australia was the highest-grossing tour by a domestic artist in the country’s history.

Career Stats & Discography

Year	Title	Type	RIAA / Chart Status
2018	14 with a Dream	EP	Independent Release
2020	Fck Love*	Mixtape	Platinum / #1 Billboard 200
2020	“Go” (ft. Juice WRLD)	Single	2x Platinum
2021	“Stay” (ft. Justin Bieber)	Single	Diamond
2021	“Without You”	Single	4x Platinum
2023	The First Time	Album	Gold
2024	“Girls”	Single	Global Top 10
2025	“Nights Like This”	Single	Viral Chart Leader
2026	TBA Project	Album	Coming Soon

Net Worth & Earnings

As of 2026, The Kid LAROI’s estimated net worth is approximately $20 million to $25 million. His wealth is a result of a diversified income stream:

Music Royalties: With over 50 million monthly listeners on Spotify and billions of streams, his master recordings and publishing rights generate millions annually.
Touring: His 2024–2025 world tour grossed an estimated $40 million in ticket sales.
Endorsements: LAROI has signed lucrative deals with brands like Amazon Music, McDonald’s (The Kid LAROI Meal), and fashion houses like Saint Laurent.
Real Estate: He owns a multi-million dollar mansion in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles and luxury property in Sydney.

Personal Life

Family Background

LAROI remains incredibly close to his mother, Sloane, whom he credits for his success. He frequently mentions his younger brother, Austin, in interviews and ensures his family is taken care of financially. His Indigenous heritage remains a point of pride; he often uses his platform to speak on issues facing Indigenous Australians and incorporates Aboriginal art into his merchandise and stage designs.

Relationships & Dating History

LAROI’s most public relationship was with TikTok star and model Katarina Deme. The pair began dating in 2020 and were a fixture on social media for three years before reportedly parting ways in late 2023. Since then, LAROI has been linked to several high-profile figures, including singer Tate McRae, though he tends to keep his current romantic life more private than in his early years.

Hobbies & Interests

When not in the studio, LAROI is an avid basketball fan and is frequently seen courtside at Los Angeles Lakers games. He is also a fan of retro gaming, vintage fashion collecting, and spends time mentoring young Australian artists trying to break into the US market.

Awards & Achievements

Grammy Awards: Nominated for Best New Artist (2022).
ARIA Music Awards: Best Artist (2021), Best Pop Release (2021).
Billboard Music Awards: Top Hot 100 Song (2022 for “Stay”).
iHeartRadio Music Awards: Collaboration of the Year (2022).
APRA Awards: Songwriter of the Year (2022, 2023).

Physical Statistics

Height: 5’10” (178 cm)
Weight: 65 kg (143 lbs)
Physique: Slim / Athletic
Tattoos: He has several tattoos, including one dedicated to Juice WRLD and various symbols representing his journey and family.

Quotes

“I’m just a kid from Waterloo who wanted to make something of himself. I want to show every kid in Australia that it doesn’t matter where you come from, you can go anywhere.” — Rolling Stone Interview, 2021

“Juice WRLD didn’t just teach me how to make music; he taught me how to be a person in this industry. I carry that with me every day.” — Zane Lowe Interview, 2023

Favorites

Favorite Food: Australian Wagyu Beef / Thai Food
Favorite Movie: The Basketball Diaries
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Travel Destination: Tokyo, Japan
Favorite Musical Influences: Kanye West, Juice WRLD, Drake

Interesting Facts

He is the first Indigenous Australian artist to ever reach #1 on the US Billboard 200.
He originally recorded the “Stay” hook over a year before Justin Bieber joined the track.
The “Kid” in his name was originally intended to be dropped as he got older, but it became too iconic to change.
He was a finalist in the Triple J Unearthed High competition when he was only 14.
He has a deep passion for film and has expressed interest in directing his own movies in the future.
He moved to Los Angeles with his mother and brother when he was just 16 years old.
He is known for “freestyling” many of his songs in the booth rather than writing them down.
His first EP was titled 14 with a Dream, accurately reflecting his age and ambition at the time.

Did You Know?

Did you know The Kid LAROI was discovered by his former manager through a random SoundCloud link?
Did you know he once lived in a house where the family had to sell clothes just to afford groceries?
Did you know “Stay” reached 1 billion streams on Spotify in just 118 days?
Did you know LAROI’s great-grandfather was part of the “Stolen Generation” of Indigenous Australians?

Instagram: @thekidlaroi
X (Twitter): @thekidlaroi
YouTube: The Kid LAROI Official
TikTok: @thekidlaroi

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is The Kid LAROI’s real name?
A1: His real name is Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard.

Q2: How old is The Kid LAROI in 2026?
A2: He is currently 22 years 9 months old years old.

Q3: Is The Kid LAROI still with Justin Bieber’s management?
A3: After several changes in management between 2021 and 2024, he has settled into a hybrid management structure that allows him significant creative control over his label, Columbia Records.

Q4: What does “LAROI” mean?
A4: It is derived from “Kamilaroi,” the name of the Indigenous Australian tribe to which his ancestors belonged.

CONCLUSION

The Kid LAROI’s journey from the Waterloo housing commissions to global arenas is one of the most inspiring stories in modern music. By 2026, he has transcended the “viral sensation” label to become a foundational pillar of contemporary pop and hip-hop. His legacy is defined by his vulnerability, his pride in his Kamilaroi roots, and a relentless work ethic that continues to break records. As he enters this new phase of his career, fans can expect even more experimental sounds and a deeper dive into the storytelling that made him famous.

If you enjoyed this in-depth biography of The Kid LAROI, feel free to share it with other fans and stay tuned for more updates on his 2026 tour dates and upcoming releases!

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