Dua Lipa and the Rise of the Celebrity Book Club Clique

Dua Lipa and the Complicated World of the Celebrity Book Club

Dua Lipa isn’t just filling stadiums or dominating charts — she’s also shaping which books millions of fans stack on their nightstands. The global pop sensation’s foray into literature through her Service95 Book Club has sparked vibrant discussion and, for some, fresh criticism about the influence of celebrity-led reading movements.

The Rise of Dua Lipa’s Service95 Book Club

Launched in 2023 via her editorial platform Service95, Dua Lipa’s book club challenges the standard celebrity project by offering readers more than monthly recommendations. Each selection, from fiction to memoir and manifesto, aims to highlight powerful stories and voices from around the globe. The Service95 philosophy is clear: elevate diverse perspectives and foster meaningful conversations through curated literature.

Recent picks have included Malorie Blackman’s "Noughts and Crosses," a young adult novel exploring racial division in a dystopian world, which resonated deeply with Dua herself. She credits Blackman as a formative influence and emphasizes the importance of books that encourage readers to ask important questions about society. Along with every pick, the club offers curated playlists, author interviews, and dedicated discussion guides — all free to browse on the Service95 website. The platform also features recommended reads by notable guests like Lisa Taddeo and Monica Lewinsky, further expanding the club’s literary landscape.

For more on her book recommendations and the club’s monthly selections, you can visit the official Service95 Book Club page.

A New Kind of Literary Influence

Dua Lipa is part of a recent wave of high-profile personalities using their platforms to launch book clubs, a trend that includes figures like Reese Witherspoon and Emma Watson. But as the readership soars and titles promoted in these circles rocket up bestseller lists, some in the publishing world are raising concerns. Critics have dubbed this trend the "celebrity book club mafia," noting how the sheer reach of a celebrity can overshadow lesser-known authors and flood the market with a narrow range of promoted works.

Supporters argue, however, that Dua’s approach stands apart because she’s transparent in her curation, spotlighting international authors and complex, underrepresented narratives. Unlike some celebrity clubs, Service95 regularly supplements picks with material that deepens understanding, such as Q&As with the authors themselves or real-world stories connected to the book’s themes.

Spotify’s announcement that it had acquired Dua Lipa’s author interview series, launching new podcast episodes exclusively for Service95 fans, marks yet another expansion of her literary brand. This move helps bring these conversations to a broader, global digital audience and further cements the overlap between pop culture and publishing. For more information on the podcast development, you can see the details over at Oh No They Didn’t.

The Debate: Is More Influence Always Better?

As Dua Lipa’s book club continues to grow, debate around celebrity-driven reading movements remains heated. Detractors suggest that too much star power may crowd out smaller, independent literary voices. Others counter that, in an age where reading faces steep competition from social media and streaming, any trend getting younger crowds excited about books is positive.

Whether sparking controversy or curiosity, Dua Lipa has undeniably established herself as both an advocate for global storytelling and a trendsetter in the book world. For a sample of her own recent picks and the stories behind them, check out this People Magazine feature on Dua Lipa’s reading list.

Her commitment to literature — and to elevating dynamic, diverse voices — signals a welcome evolution in what it means to be a celebrity tastemaker today. As the discussion continues, one thing remains clear: Dua Lipa’s impact on the literary landscape is here to stay, reshaping how and what millions of fans read around the world.

For an in-depth look at Dua’s current featured book, see her January 2025 monthly read and insights directly from Service95.