Pop superstar Dua Lipa will curate the 2026 London Literature Festival at the Southbank Centre, organisers have announced.
The 30-year-old chart-topping singer, known for global hits such as “Levitating” and “One Kiss”, will follow in the footsteps of figures like musician Self-Esteem in shaping the festival’s line-up.
Previous headliners have included literary giants and cultural icons such as Tom Hanks, Margaret Atwood, and Malala Yousafzai.
Lipa is a vocal advocate for literacy and reading and founded the Service95 Book Club.
Her role will see her curate a series of events during the festival’s opening weekend and across its entire 11-day run.
The Grammy-winning artist said: "Reading has anchored me through every chapter of my life – from being the new kid at school in a new country to finding quiet refuge on tour.
"Curating the Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival is a dream come true. I’m thrilled to indulge one of my greatest obsessions: books and the brilliant minds behind them. I can’t wait to dive into the imaginations of some of my favourite authors in one of London’s most iconic cultural spaces."
This year’s festival forms part of a "momentous" celebration, presented as a key highlight of the Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary year.
The wider programme will also feature former One Direction singer Harry Styles curating the Meltdown festival, alongside an exhibition by acclaimed British sculptor Anish Kapoor.
Mark Ball, artistic director of the Southbank Centre, lauded Lipa as a "global cultural force with millions of fans around the world".
He said her "passion for the written and spoken word has inspired a new generation of readers".
He added that the centre was "absolutely thrilled that Dua will take the reins of our flagship London Literature Festival, applying her incredible creative talent, her advocacy and her reach to connect audiences to our finest writers".
Ted Hodgkinson, the centre’s head of literature and spoken word, said that "Dua is the ultimate champion of the role they can play in our lives".
He highlighted the aim to draw "fresh audiences into our iconic spaces" during the National Year of Reading.
A full line-up and ticket release dates are anticipated to be announced in the summer.
‘People stormed out’: Max Richter and Yulia Mahr stage a hopeful show for hard times
Southbank Centre chair urges artists to take a political stand
Harry Styles scores biggest global debut of his career with new album
Arundhati Roy’s memoir up for Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction as shortlist announced
Debut author wins prestigious award for infiltrating British far right groups
Viola Davis tackles Americas abortion debate in powerful new novel
