Nelly Kim Furtado is a highly successful singing sensation who has sold over 40 million records worldwide. Rising to fame with her debut album ‘Whoa, Nelly!’, she has received numerous prestigious awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Born into a family of music lovers, Nelly’s passion for music was evident from a young age as she sang duets with her mother in the church choir. She began playing musical instruments and writing songs at a young age, showcasing her talent and dedication. Coming from a working-class background, Nelly’s strong work ethic has been a driving force in her successful career. Her talent was noticed by singer Gerald Eaton, who helped release her debut album, leading to international success. Since then, Nelly has continued to produce hit singles and albums, solidifying her status as a renowned artist.
Quick Facts
- Canadian Celebrities Born In December
- Also Known As: Nelly Kim Furtado
- Age: 45 Years, 45 Year Old Females
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Demacio Castellon
- Father: António José Furtado
- Mother: Maria Manuela
- Siblings: Lisa Anne
- Children: Nevis Gahunia
- Born Country: Canada
- Quotes By Nelly Furtado
- Musicians
- Height: 5’3″ (160 cm), 5’3″ Females
- Ancestry: Portuguese Canadian
- City: Victoria, Canada
Childhood & Early Life
Nelly Furtado was born to Portuguese parents Maria Manuela and Antonio Jose Furtado, who emigrated to Canada. She has two siblings. Her family had a strong musical background, with her mother being a church choir singer. Nelly began singing duets with her mother at the church at a young age. She also learned to play the trombone and ukulele by the time she was nine, and later picked up the guitar and keyboards.
As a teenager, Nelly performed with various bands, including a jazz band, concert band, and marching band. She graduated from Mount Douglas Secondary School in 1996.
Career
Nelly Furtado’s career took off when she met Tallis Newkirk, a member of the hip-hop group Plains of Fascination. She sang vocals for their album ‘Join the Ranks’ in 1996 and formed a trip-hop duo called Nelstar with Newkirk the following year. However, she soon left the group.
In 1997, Nelly participated in the talent show The Honey Jam, where she caught the attention of Gerald Eaton and Brian West from the band The Philosopher Kings. They collaborated with her and co-produced her debut album ‘Whoa, Nelly!’ in 2000. The album featured international hits like ‘I’m Like a Bird’ and received four Grammy nominations.
Nelly went on the ‘Burn in the Spotlight Tour’ in 2001 to promote her album, performing at various venues in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. She released her second album ‘Folklore’ in 2003, which had a more mellow and diverse sound. The album included the single ‘Forca,’ which became the official anthem of the 2004 European Football Championship.
In 2006, Nelly released her album ‘Loose,’ which incorporated elements of dance, R&B, and hip-hop. The album received criticism for its exploration of female sexuality. She also recorded a successful Spanish album called ‘Mi Plan’ in 2009, which reached No. 1 on the U.S. Latin Billboard chart.
Nelly continued to release albums and tour, including her latest album ‘The Spirit Indestructible’ in 2012. In 2015, she made a minor appearance in the film ‘A Date with Miss Fortune’ and performed at the 2016 NBA All-Star Game. She released her sixth studio album ‘The Ride’ in 2017 and has collaborated with various artists on new songs.
Major Works
Nelly Furtado’s debut album ‘Whoa, Nelly!’ launched her career and has sold over eight million copies worldwide. Her album ‘Loose’ is her most successful to date, reaching No. 1 on the Canadian Albums Chart and the U.S. Billboard 200. The album featured hit singles like ‘Promiscuous’ and ‘Maneater’ and received numerous awards and nominations.
Awards & Achievements
Nelly Furtado has won several awards throughout her career. She received Grammy Awards for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the songs ‘I’m Like a Bird’ in 2002 and ‘Say It Right’ in 2008. She also won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album, Female for her album ‘Mi Plan’ in 2010.
Personal Life & Legacy
Nelly Furtado was in a relationship with Jasper Gahunia, with whom she has a daughter named Nevis. They broke up in 2005. She married sound engineer Demacio Castellon in 2008, but they divorced in 2016. Nelly has also been involved in raising awareness about AIDS, hosting a program on MTV alongside Alicia Keys and Justin Timberlake.
Trivia
Nelly Furtado has sung a Hindi song called ‘Kabhi Kabhie.’ She was named after the Soviet gymnast Nellie Kim.