Anitta
Biography
Larissa de Macedo Machado, known professionally as Anitta, was born on March 30, 1993, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She was raised in the Honório Gurgel neighborhood, a less affluent area of the city. Her mother raised her after her parents divorced when she was young. Anitta began singing at the age of eight in a church choir. As a teenager, she posted videos of her singing on YouTube.
Career Beginnings
Her videos on YouTube caught the attention of producer Renato Azevedo, which led to a contract with the independent label Furacão 2000. She adopted the stage name Anitta, inspired by a character from a Brazilian TV series. Her breakthrough came in 2013 with the song "Show das Poderosas," which became a national hit and its music video garnered millions of views on YouTube. This success led to a recording contract with Warner Music Brazil that same year.
Rise to International Stardom
Anitta's debut self-titled album was released in 2013 and achieved platinum certification in Brazil. She continued to release successful albums in Brazil, including "Ritmo Perfeito" (2014) and "Bang!" (2015). Aiming for a global audience, she began releasing music in Spanish and English. Her Spanish-language single "Paradinha" (2017) was a significant hit across Latin America. She has collaborated with numerous international artists, including Madonna, J Balvin, Cardi B, Major Lazer, and The Weeknd. Her 2021 Spanish single "Envolver" topped the global Spotify chart, making her the first Brazilian and first solo Latin artist to achieve this.
Recent Years and Achievements
In recent years, Anitta has solidified her status as a global music icon. She was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. She has received numerous awards, including multiple MTV Europe Music Awards for Best Brazilian Act. In 2022, she released her fifth studio album, "Versions of Me," which features songs in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. Anitta is also a prominent figure on social media, recognized by Billboard as one of the most influential celebrities online. Beyond music, she is a businesswoman, having founded her own management company, Rodamoinho.
Personal Life
Anitta is openly bisexual and an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She was married to businessman Thiago Magalhães from 2017 to 2018. She speaks Portuguese, Spanish, and English fluently. Anitta is also known for her philanthropic work, supporting causes related to environmental protection and social issues in Brazil.