Linda Perry has spent decades shaping the soundtrack of modern pop music – and at 61, the 4 Non Blondes star still looks every bit the rock icon fans first fell in love with in the early 1990s.
The singer-songwriter, known for her signature dark hair, soulful voice and fearless honesty, recently stepped back into the spotlight with her first solo album in more than 25 years, Let It Die Here. The deeply personal record arrives as Linda is also being honored with the Special International Award at the 2026 Ivor Novello Awards, recognising her extraordinary impact on songwriting.
While younger fans may know Linda as the creative force behind some of the biggest hits of the past four decades, many first discovered her as the frontwoman of 4 Non Blondes. The band shot to international fame with the 1993 anthem ‘What’s Up?’ – often mistakenly referred to as ‘What’s Going On’ because of its famous chorus lyric.
The emotional rock track became a global phenomenon and remains one of the defining songs of the decade, with Linda’s raw vocals and deeply personal lyrics helping cement its cult status across generations.
© Getty ImagesAfter leaving the band, Linda reinvented herself as one of the music industry’s most sought-after songwriters and producers. Over the years, she has penned massive hits including Christina Aguilera’s ‘Beautiful,’ Pink’s ‘Get the Party Started,’ Gwen Stefani’s ‘What Are You Waiting For?’ and Alicia Keys’ ‘Superwoman.’
© Getty Images for LOVE ROCKS NYC/Few writers have managed to move so seamlessly between vulnerable ballads and powerhouse pop anthems, but Linda has long insisted she approaches songwriting instinctively rather than strategically.
“You know, I don’t sit here and think I’m the greatest songwriter and I’m putting together these poetic statements,” she told Parade. “It’s like, I’ve had a big life. I am constantly in a struggle of some sort. I come from that background, and so my words might be a little deeper, they might be a little more honest, but that’s all I know. I don’t write about things I don’t know.”
© Getty Images for NARASShe added: “I’m not intentionally trying to do anything. I’m just going with the flow. And if there’s a song to be written, it shows up, and I write it.”
Linda’s latest project, Let It Die Here, is accompanied by a documentary of the same name and marks a deeply reflective period in her life and career. In a full-circle moment, she also recently recorded her own version of ‘Beautiful’ for the first time since Aguilera turned the song into a chart-topping hit in 2002.
© Mike WindleThe music video was directed by Linda’s ex-wife, actress Sara Gilbert, with the former couple’s son, Rhodes, starring in the project. Linda and The Conners actress married in 2014 before separating in 2019, though they have remained closely connected through co-parenting and creative collaborations.
© Getty ImagesReflecting on working together again, Linda said Sara “did a phenomenal job” directing the video, while also praising Rhodes for stepping naturally into the spotlight.
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