40 interesting facts about Doja Cat That You Didn’t Know

Doja Cat is a multifaceted artist who has taken the music world by storm with her chart-topping hits.

Her song “Say So” became a viral sensation on TikTok in 2020, catapulting her to new levels of fame. Known for her unique and eccentric fashion style, Doja Cat’s looks have captivated the internet.

Her rapid rise to stardom has been embraced by many, though her bold and outspoken nature has stirred some controversy; while her fans adore her, critics have not held back in their disapproval.

Here are fun facts about Doja Cat that even her most devoted fans might not know:

1. Her real name is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini. Originally, she went by the stage name “M” but later changed it to “Doja Cat” during high school.
2. Doja Cat is 28 years old, born on October 21, 1995, in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Rye, New York.
3. Her birthday places her under the zodiac sign of Libra, and she was born in the Year of the Rat. Her birthstones are opal and tourmaline, and her birth flowers are marigolds.
4. Her father, Dumisani Dlamini, is a South African performer who starred in the Broadway show Sarafina. Her mother, Deborah Sawyer, is an American graphic designer.
5. When Doja Cat was eight, her father moved the family to the Sai Anantam Ashram in the mountains of Santa Monica, where they lived and practiced Hinduism for four years.
6. During her time at the ashram, Doja Cat learned an Indian classical dance called Bharatanatyam.
7. After leaving the ashram, the family moved to Oak Park, California, where Doja Cat picked up breakdancing and skateboarding.
8. She began her musical journey early, learning to play the piano at the age of four.
9. Doja Cat wrote her first song at the age of eight as a tribute to her mother, though it remains the only song she ever wrote specifically for her.
10. A self-taught artist, Doja Cat used the GarageBand app to learn how to sing, rap, and create her own music.
11. Her rise to fame began with her early work, which she uploaded to SoundCloud, earning her initial recognition.
12. As a child, Doja Cat dreamed of being a dancer and was part of a dance crew, competing in organized battles around Los Angeles.
13. Her aunt, a vocal coach, gave her voice lessons to help her audition for Central Los Angeles Area New High School #9, a performing arts school.
14. At 16, she dropped out of high school to focus on music, realizing that performing was her true passion. She later described her life after dropping out as “messy.”
15. Doja Cat has often spoken about feeling “stuck in one spot while everybody else is constantly progressing,” a sentiment she attributes to her Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).
16. After leaving school, she spent most of her days in her bedroom, scouring YouTube and other platforms for beats and music to use in her songs.
17. Doja Cat affectionately calls her fans “Kittens.”
18. Her SoundCloud track “So High” was the turning point that led to her signing a joint deal with Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records and RCA Records.
19. In 2020, Doja Cat was the fourth-most Googled musician in the United States.
20. In 2021, Doja Cat collaborated with multiple artists on her album Planet Her, including The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, and SZA. The album received critical acclaim and solidified her status as a versatile and innovative artist in the music industry.
21. When her SoundCloud release “So High” received 12 views, Doja Cat was overwhelmed and broke down in tears of joy.
22. Doja Cat cites artists like Nicki Minaj, Lauryn Hill, Busta Rhymes, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, and Christina Aguilera as major influences. She taught herself to sing by listening to Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.
23. Her novelty song “Mooo!” achieved viral success, racking up over three million views within a week. The meme-worthy song was created and edited in less than 24 hours.
24. Haley Sharpey, a TikTok user, helped propel Doja Cat’s “Say So” to fame by performing a dance routine to it and sharing it on the platform.
25. The official “Say So” music video later featured Haley Sharpey, with both her and Doja Cat performing Haley’s iconic dance.
26. Doja Cat’s album Hot Pink is inspired by her African heritage, something she takes great pride in.
27. The remix of her song “Juicy” debuted at number 83 on Billboard’s Hot 100, peaking at number 41 and earning platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.
28. “Say So” became Doja Cat’s first top-ten single, peaking at number five on Billboard’s Hot 100.
29. In 2020, she was named in Forbes Magazine’s “30 Under 30.”
30. Her song “Boss Bitch” was featured on the soundtrack for the 2020 film Birds of Prey.
31. In 2020, Doja Cat and SZA became the first Black women to win the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo. It was the first Grammy win for both artists.
32. Doja Cat’s first hosting gig was the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, where she received five nominations and won three awards.
33. In addition to her Grammy and MTV Awards, Doja Cat has won five Billboard Awards and five American Music Awards.
34. Billboard ranked Doja Cat as the number five Top New Artist and Top Female Artist of 2020, based on U.S. sales.
35. The Wall Street Journal described her as “a skilled, technical rapper with a strong melodic sense and a bold visual presence.”
36. Doja Cat has a particular attraction to people with prominent noses.
37. Her favorite cartoon is Family Guy, which she has watched at least ten times through each season.
38. Doja Cat is of average height, standing 5’5″ (165 cm) tall.
39. In March 2022, she expressed frustration with her music career, saying she was no longer enjoying it after fans harshly criticized her when a show in Paraguay was canceled due to bad weather.
40. Doja Cat donated $100,000 to the Justice for Breonna Taylor fund to honor the life of Breonna Taylor, an ER technician who was shot in her bed while sleeping by police officers who broke into her home.

From her upbringing in a Hindu ashram to her breakout success with viral hits like “Say So” and “Mooo!,” Doja Cat’s journey has been anything but ordinary.

Her fans love her music and her eccentric fashion, but her outspokenness has sparked controversy along the way.

Despite the challenges, Doja Cat has remained true to herself and her music, continuing to inspire her fans around the world.