As a longstanding Puma Global Ambassador, Dua Lipa is now the latest face of the Speedcat, the brand’s motorsport inspired sneaker. Atop a cherry red sports car, Dua brandishes her matching red kicks, and believe us when we say, she is a stunner. She is unapologetically, unabashedly a wild Puma girl, and the vast desert sky is no match for the pop vocalist’s Speedcat-fueled odyssey.

The British pop starlet chatted with V about her lengthy personal history with the brand, her tried and true tips for the radical optimist, and her latest new music finds.

Courtesy of Puma

V Magazine: Do you have any early memories of PUMA? 

Dua Lipa: My parents used to dress me up in trackies when I was little, so I definitely remember wearing PUMA a lot growing up and just seeing it everywhere. So getting to partner with them now is very special. 

V: Do you have a favorite pair of PUMAs from the present or past?

DL: I gravitate towards different styles for different occasions, but right now, I’m probably loving the Speedcat the most. I LOVE the classic red color.

Courtesy of Puma

V: You are the face of the latest PUMA Speedcat campaign. What is it about the design and vibe of the Speedcat that resonates with you personally?

DL: Shooting the campaign was such a fun experience, and I loved the whole road trip vibe. The Speedcat is sleek and modern with a touch of retro, which fits my style perfectly. I love pieces that feel effortless but still stand out. Plus, they’re so easy to wear.

Courtesy of Puma

V: You’re continuing on a massive tour this year! How would you describe life on the road? Do you ever struggle with moving around all the time? 

DL: Honestly, it’s where I thrive. I love the energy I get from being in a new place. That feeling when you find a hidden gem of a new restaurant or a cosy bookstore, it’s so inspiring, and I feel very lucky that it’s part of my job. I can’t wait to be reunited with my fans from all over the world this year. We’ve got a massive trek planned, so I’m very excited!

V: Do you have a New Year’s resolution that you can share? 

DL: It’s less of a New Year’s resolution and more of an everyday motto I live by, but I try to say ‘yes’ to new experiences as much as I can. There’s so much you can learn and experience from just approaching the world with an open-mindedness. I find more often than not that saying ‘yes’ leads to something that I’m able to grow or learn from, and I think that’s a beautiful way to move through life. 

V: Are you listening to any “lesser known” singers at the moment that you’d like to share with us? 

DL: I love Cleo Sol! Her voice is just so soothing. I fell in love with her song “Sunshine,” and ended up doing a cover of it for my BBC Live Lounge performance and grew an even bigger appreciation for that song in the process. Oh and Olivia Dean! She’s got an amazing voice too, and it’s been so fun watching her rise in the UK over the last year or so. I’m very excited to see what she does next! 

V: What are your favorite Instagram accounts? 

DL: Love of Huns (@loveofhuns) is a fave I’ll go to when I’m in need of a good laugh. They have the best archive of pop culture moments. Strakers (@strakers__) is another account I love. It’s one of my favourite restaurants in London!

Courtesy of Puma

V: How do you remain “radically optimistic” in a sometimes difficult world? 

DL: I think for me it’s something I take day-by-day. When I first learnt about radical optimism, what really stayed with me was this idea of being resilient. Being able to roll with the punches, whatever life throws your way, especially in those times when it doesn’t turn out in your favor. Those moments where you learn how to pick yourself up and carry on can prepare you for whatever else may come your way. So I think it’s really about looking at every experience as an opportunity to learn and grow and take it with you as a lesson, the good and the bad. 

V: Is there anywhere you’ve yet to travel to that you’d like to visit this year?

DL: Oh my gosh, so many. A lot of the stops we’re hitting on the tour this year I haven’t been to since the Future Nostalgia Tour, so I’m excited to really sink my teeth into every city I’m hitting on the Radical Optimism Tour this year. 

Courtesy of Puma

The Puma Speedcat is available on puma.com.