Meghan Trainor is an American singer-songwriter who rose to fame in 2014 with her diamond-certified debut single “All About That Bass.” She has released six studio albums, won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2016, and achieved eight multi-platinum singles throughout her career.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Meghan Elizabeth Trainor was born on December 22, 1993, in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Her parents, Kelli and Gary Trainor, owned a jewelry store, and her father also worked as a music teacher and church organist. Growing up in this environment shaped her musical foundation from an early age.
She began singing at age six at a Methodist church with her father. Her family actively supported her musical ambitions, recognizing her talent and passion. At age 12, Trainor joined a cover band called Island Fusion with her family members, where they performed soca music and her original compositions for four years.
Between the ages of 15 and 17, Trainor independently released three albums of material she had written, recorded, performed, and produced. Her debut album arrived on Christmas Day 2009. She enrolled in the Summer Performance Program at Berklee College of Music during the summers of 2009 and 2010.
The Nashville Years: Becoming a Professional Songwriter
At a music conference in Nashville, Trainor introduced herself to former NRBQ member Al Anderson, who was impressed by her songwriting and referred her to publisher Carla Wallace at Big Yellow Dog Music. This connection changed everything for the young songwriter.
Though Trainor had been offered a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music, she decided to pursue her songwriting career and signed with Big Yellow Dog Music at age 18. The decision to skip college and focus on music proved correct.
Throughout 2013, Trainor traveled to Nashville, New York City, and Los Angeles, where she wrote and helped produce country and pop songs. She worked as a songwriter-for-hire, penning tracks for established artists before anyone knew her name. Big Yellow Dog sent Trainor-penned songs to Grammy winner Rascal Flatts, Sabrina Carpenter, and other artists.
The “All About That Bass” Phenomenon
In June 2013, Trainor met producer Kevin Kadish in Nashville through Wallace and a mutual friend. This partnership would create one of the biggest hits of the 2010s.
Trainor and Kadish wrote “All About That Bass” in just 45 minutes. The song came together quickly, with Kadish playing a drum beat while Trainor sang the hook. They wanted to incorporate influences of 1950s doo-wop into the song, and Trainor was inspired by Bruno Mars’s “Just the Way You Are” while criticizing electronically edited images in beauty magazines.
Twenty minutes after she performed “All About That Bass” for Epic Records, L.A. Reid signed her to the label. The song launched in June 2014 and became a cultural phenomenon.
Chart Domination
“All About That Bass” ruled the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks beginning in September 2014. The numbers were staggering. The song has drawn 4.9 billion in radio audience, 1.1 billion on-demand U.S. streams, and sold 5.8 million downloads, according to Luminate data.
The single topped the national charts of 58 countries and became one of the best-selling singles of all time. It reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and sold 11 million copies worldwide.
The song became the longest-reigning number-one by an Epic recording artist in the United States, surpassing the seven-week record held by Michael Jackson’s songs “Billie Jean” and “Black or White.”
Album Releases and Musical Evolution
Title (2015)
Trainor’s first album, Title, topped the Billboard 200 for a week in January 2015. She became the 13th woman to earn both a debut number-one album and Hot 100 song in the more than half-century the charts have coexisted, joining Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, and Britney Spears.
Title yielded two more Hot 100 top 10s: “Lips Are Movin” (number four peak) and “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” featuring John Legend (number eight). The album established Trainor as more than a one-hit wonder.
Thank You (2016)
Trainor unveiled the hit single “No” in March 2016, which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Thank You became her second Billboard 200 top 10, peaking at number three in 2016. The album earned platinum certification and included singles like “Me Too” and “Better” featuring Yo Gotti.
In February 2016, Trainor was crowned Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards. This recognition validated her rapid rise in the music industry.
Later Albums: Treat Myself, A Very Trainor Christmas, and Takin’ It Back
Trainor’s fourth major-label studio album, and debut Christmas album, A Very Trainor Christmas, was released on October 30, 2020. She released her fifth major-label studio album, Takin’ It Back, on October 21, 2022.
Takin’ It Back included the single “Made You Look,” which reached the top five in countries including the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The track garnered over 300 million streams and became a global sensation, being used in over 6 million videos on social media.
Timeless (2024)
Timeless, her sixth major-label studio album, was released on June 7, 2024, by Epic Records. Trainor collaborated with producers such as Federico Vindver, Gian Stone, Grant Boutin, and Jason Evigan, with featured artists including T-Pain, Lawrence, and Niecy Nash.
Trainor and T-Pain released “Been Like This” as the lead single on March 14, 2024, which charted at number 40 in the United Kingdom and number 51 in Ireland. The album peaked at number 27 on the US Billboard 200, number 12 on the UK Albums Chart, and number 23 on the Australian Albums Chart.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of her album Title, Trainor re-released the record with two brand new songs, “All About That Bass (Remastered)” and “Better When I’m Dancin’ (j.bird Timeless Tour Version),” along with six Live from Spotify London tracks.
Musical Style and Influences
Trainor’s father introduced her to 1950s music, doo-wop, jazz, and the work of James Brown during her childhood. She grew up listening to soca and Caribbean music, crediting 1950s music, soca, and Frank Sinatra for influencing her blend of hip hop and pop music.
Trainor’s music is influenced by the popular music of the 1950s and blends the genres of pop, R&B, doo-wop, and blue-eyed soul. This retro-modern fusion became her signature sound.
Trainor’s lyrics frequently refer to womanhood, body image, and personal empowerment. Her songs tackle themes that resonate with listeners who struggle with self-acceptance and confidence. The message of body positivity became central to her brand, though it sometimes drew criticism.
Personal Life: Marriage and Motherhood
Meeting Daryl Sabara
Trainor and actor Daryl Sabara first met at a house party in 2014, though they wouldn’t begin dating until July 2016. Actress Chloë Grace Moretz played matchmaker for the couple, setting them up on a double date.
Daryl Sabara was already famous for playing Juni Cortez in director Robert Rodriguez’s Spy Kids film franchise. Despite his celebrity, their connection was immediate and genuine.
Marriage
Sabara proposed on December 22, 2017, Trainor’s 24th birthday, under a tunnel of Christmas lights surrounded by family and friends. They married a year later in an intimate backyard ceremony at their Los Angeles home on December 22, 2018, Trainor’s 25th birthday.
In May 2024, Trainor revealed on The Kelly Clarkson Show that she and Daryl renewed their vows on her 30th birthday to celebrate their fifth anniversary, stating, “Every five years, we’re getting married.”
Children
The couple welcomed their first son, Riley, in February 2021. Riley’s birth was challenging, as he was in a breech position requiring an emergency cesarean, and breathing issues led to a NICU stay.
Their second son, Barry, was born on July 1, 2023, on the seventh anniversary of their first date. Trainor described Barry as “so different than Riley” as a baby, noting he cried more and had an upset stomach, while Riley was their “trick baby” who made parenting seem easy.
In her Kelly Clarkson Show interview, Trainor expressed her desire to have four children total, enthusiastically declaring, “I want daughters!”
The Timeless Tour 2024
Trainor completed her first North American tour in eight years, The Timeless Tour, which included sold-out stops at Madison Square Garden, the Kia Forum, and more venues throughout 2024. The 24-show tour kicked off September 3, 2024, at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, produced by Live Nation.
Natasha Bedingfield joined Trainor as direct support for select dates, including New York, Denver, and Los Angeles, while Paul Russell supported the entire tour. Best friend Chris Olsen and older brother Ryan Trainor also joined the tour as special guests.
Career Achievements and Recognition
Trainor has won four ASCAP Pop Music Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, a People’s Choice Award, and a Grammy Award. Her accolades demonstrate consistent industry recognition beyond initial success.
She became the 21st female artist whose debut single peaked at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, and the fifth female artist to follow up her chart-topping debut single with another top-five release.
Billboard ranked her at number 40 on their list of the top artists of the 2010s, and number 33 on their 2025 “Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century” list.
Trainor has also co-written two number-one songs on the Country Airplay chart: “I Like the Sound of That” for Rascal Flatts (2016) and “Road Less Traveled” for Lauren Alaina (2017).
Beyond Music: Television and Other Ventures
Trainor served as a judge on television talent shows, including The Four: Battle for Stardom (2018), The Voice UK (2020), and Australian Idol (2023). Her television presence expanded her brand beyond that of a recording artist.
She had voice roles in animated films Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017) and Playmobil: The Movie (2019). Trainor released her first book, Dear Future Mama, in 2023.
In September 2021, she launched her podcast “Workin’ On It,” which she hosts alongside her brother Ryan Trainor. The podcast allows her to connect with fans in a more intimate, conversational format.
Current Status and Future
As of 2025, Trainor maintains a strong social media presence with 18 million Instagram followers. She continues balancing her music career with motherhood, regularly sharing updates about her family life and professional projects.
Trainor has released six studio albums with Epic Records and continues to receive various accolades throughout her ongoing career. Her ability to maintain relevance over a decade demonstrates staying power beyond viral success.
FAQs
How old is Meghan Trainor?
Born December 22, 1993, Meghan Trainor is 31 years old as of 2025. She celebrates her birthday on the same day she married her husband.
Who is Meghan Trainor married to?
Trainor is married to actor Daryl Sabara, best known for playing Juni Cortez in the Spy Kids films. They married on December 22, 2018.
How many children does Meghan Trainor have?
Trainor has two sons: Riley (born February 2021) and Barry (born July 2023). She has expressed interest in having four children total.
What was Meghan Trainor’s biggest hit song?
“All About That Bass” was her biggest hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks and selling 11 million copies worldwide.
What is Meghan Trainor’s musical style?
Her music blends pop, R&B, doo-wop, and blue-eyed soul, heavily influenced by the music and artists of the 1950s, such as Frank Sinatra.
How many albums has Meghan Trainor released?
Trainor has released six major-label studio albums: Title (2015), Thank You (2016), Treat Myself (2020), A Very Trainor Christmas (2020), Takin’ It Back (2022), and Timeless (2024).
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