Gina Zo is a rock-pop singer-songwriter and powerhouse vocalist celebrated for her fearless authenticity and raw, emotional storytelling. Originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia and now based in Los Angeles, she is carving out a distinct place as one of the most compelling voices in modern rock-pop.
Her latest single, Dirty Habits (2025), marked the beginning of a bold new chapter in her solo career. Produced by Grammy-winners Justin Miller (Jazmine Sullivan, Zach Bryan) and Tim Sonnefeld (Usher), the track is a haunting rock-pop ballad exploring the idea that sometimes our dreams feel more real—and more comforting—than reality itself. The song garnered rave reviews and surpassed 30,000 streams in its first week. As LADYGUNN wrote, “With Dirty Habits, Gina Zo lays the foundation for a career that doesn’t play by the rules. It’s bold, messy, deeply felt—and that’s the point.”
In late September 2025, Gina released her highly anticipated debut album, Burn Me Into Something Better—a searing, vulnerable exploration of transformation, heartbreak, and rebirth. The record was featured on EARMILK, which awarded it a 9/10 review and praised its unfiltered honesty: “What makes Burn Me Into Something Better stand out, though, is its refusal to sanitize. These songs aren’t neatly packaged pop; they’re jagged, raw, and proudly messy, mirroring the real-life transformations that shaped them. It’s a record that validates every stumble as part of the climb, every scar as part of the story.”
Gina first captured national attention as a contestant on The Voice, where she joined Team Blake. It was Gwen Stefani’s mentorship, however, that became transformative—encouraging Gina to embrace vulnerability and authenticity both on and off stage. That lesson shaped her artistic identity and inspired her to become a voice for the LGBTQIA+ community. Her 2023 single Faking It was a bold declaration of her bisexuality and an anthem of self-acceptance that resonated deeply with fans around the world.
After early experiences in the industry that exposed its challenges, Gina reclaimed her creative independence and formed Velvet Rouge—a rock band embodying defiance, freedom, and soul. Their 2024 debut EP, produced by Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey (The War on Drugs, Sharon Van Etten), fused early 2000s rock grit with unflinching emotion. Standout tracks like Lonely Since The Day We Met and I Don’t Know Why highlight her raw vocal power and storytelling prowess.
Velvet Rouge quickly gained recognition as Philly’s Best Rock Band (2022) and was featured in Philly Style Magazine as “Philly’s Hottest Rock Band.” They’ve performed at XPoNential Fest, MusikFest, and Beardfest, and were spotlighted on NPR’s National Public Radio Day and WXPN’s Free At Noon series.
Now, Gina is spreading her signature blend of grit and warmth into the holiday season with two new Christmas releases: one original song “Santa, do you know?” and one inventive fusion of The Ronettes’ “Sleigh Ride” and Ella Fitzgerald’s holiday classics—reimagined with a Weezer-inspired, ’90s rock edge.
With “Santa, Do You Know?”, Gina Zo is asking the question we’ve all wanted to ask, Wrapped in shimmering synths and sleigh bells, it’s a flirty, feel-good love song for anyone wishing for “the one” under the tree. Sweet, sparkly, and irresistibly romantic, this is your new holiday obsession.
From childhood performances with flashlight strobe lights to national television appearances and critically acclaimed records, Gina’s career has been defined by a refusal to conform. Whether performing on stage, walking a red carpet in a custom Lauren Schuler gown, or mentoring emerging artists, she continues to champion women and underrepresented voices across all creative spaces.
Now based in Los Angeles, Gina finds balance in cooking from scratch, reading murder mysteries, and walking around the Silver Lake Reservoir. With Burn Me Into Something Better ushering in her defining era, Dirty Habits setting the tone, and her holiday songs showcasing her versatility, Gina Zo stands at the forefront of a new generation of rock-pop artists—bold, untamed, and unapologetically real.
