Laufey admits she still fears making eye contact on stage

Laufey told The Hit Network’s Hot Hits with Nic & Loren that she still gets nervous making direct eye contact with audience members during performances. She said the fear stems from her childhood cello lessons, when a teacher warned her that staring at people while playing feels creepy.

The singer‑songwriter shared an exception: during her set closer "Letter to My 13 Year Old Self" she deliberately scans the crowd for young fans, hoping to catch their gaze, though sometimes their tears make her emotional as well.

Laufey added that arena concerts feel more intimate to her than smaller clubs, describing the sensation of being surrounded by fans while walking the barricade. She also mentioned being recognised for her Fortnite character, recalling a waitress who asked if she was the one from the game.

These comments follow a landmark year for the Icelandic‑Chinese artist. Her third studio album A Matter of Time debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 in September 2025, marking her first top‑10 entry and the highest‑charting jazz release since 2018. The album also topped Billboard’s Jazz Albums, Traditional Jazz Albums, Independent Albums and Vinyl Albums charts.

A Matter of Time won Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 2026 Grammy Awards, giving Laufey her second consecutive win in the category after 2023’s Bewitched, which peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard 200. She has two top‑10 albums in Australia and recently completed an eight‑show Australian tour supporting the record.