Nelly Furtado, the Grammy-winning Canadian pop singer, has announced an indefinite hiatus from live performances following the conclusion of her recent tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of her debut album, “Whoa, Nelly!” In a heartfelt message shared with her fans, Furtado expressed her desire to explore other creative and personal projects during this next chapter of her life.
“I have decided to step away from performance for the foreseeable future and pursue some other creative and personal endeavors that I feel would better suit this next phase of my life,” Furtado stated. She reflected on her career with gratitude, noting that she still loves writing music, which she has always considered a hobby turned career. “I’ll identify as a songwriter forever,” she added.
Furtado shared a nostalgic photo from her early career, recalling her first professional gig at the influential Lilith Fair. The singer mentioned her joy in seeing new generations discover her music, including hits such as “I’m Like a Bird,” “Maneater,” “Say It Right,” and her collaborations with Timbaland, “Promiscuous” and “Give It to Me.”
“My music has reached a whole new generation of fans and I couldn’t be happier about that,” she wrote. Furtado reminisced about her hopes in the year 2000, when she envisioned someone discovering her vinyl in a record shop. “To have so many people rediscovering my music has been surreal and joyful,” she continued. “It’s made me really believe in magic.”
Furtado, now 46, has explored various musical genres throughout her career, including R&B and Latin music. She earned a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her breakout hit “I’m Like a Bird,” along with a Latin Grammy Award for her Spanish-language album “Mi Plan.” Her accolades also include 10 Juno Awards and a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
According to Rolling Stone, Furtado previously took a break from the music industry to focus on raising her three children. She made a return last year with the album “7.” During this time, she discovered how her eldest daughter helped enlighten her about Gen Z fans embracing her music online.
“I deeply thank all of those who have worked so hard to help me make my pop dreams come true on a creative and organizational level,” Furtado expressed. She extended her gratitude to her collaborators and supporters, wishing the new generation of artists many years of fruitful and passionate performances.
As Furtado embarks on this new journey, her decision resonates with many artists who seek balance between personal life and career. Fans and music lovers alike will continue to celebrate her impactful contributions to the music industry as they await her return.
