Anitta

Anitta – Life, Music Career & Memorable Quotes

: Explore the life of Anitta, the Brazilian pop icon: her journey from humble roots to global stardom, her discography, influences, activism, and inspiring quotes.

Introduction

Larissa de Macedo Machado, better known by her stage name Anitta, was born on March 30, 1993, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She has grown into one of Brazil’s most influential musical artists—known for blending genres like pop, funk carioca, reggaeton, and electronic music. As a singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and entrepreneur, she has helped bring Brazilian music to global audiences. Her story reflects ambition, reinvention, cultural pride, and the challenges and rewards of navigating identity under global spotlights.

Early Life and Family

Anitta was born and raised in the Honório Gurgel neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, one of the city’s poorer areas. Mauro Machado and her mother Míriam Macedo, who later divorced.

From an early age, her grandparents and mother encouraged her toward music. At about age 8, she joined the choir of the local church Santa Luzia in her neighborhood.

During her youth, as her father’s business declined, the family faced financial pressures. Colégio Pedro II and completed a technical course in public administration in high school.

Even from childhood, Anitta expressed a strong desire to perform and be famous.

Youth, Training & Beginnings

Her early exposure to music and dance shaped her path. Singing in the church choir gave her confidence and vocal practice.

Her dance classes, often offered by connections via her mother’s network, gave her physical stage presence skills.

By her late teens, she was posting home videos online, which caught the attention of local producers.

Career and Achievements

Rise to National Fame

• Around 2010, she connected with Batutinha (real name Renato Azevedo), a funk carioca producer, who began helping produce her demos.

• She signed with the label Furacão 2000, known for promoting Brazilian funk.

• Her debut single, “Eu Vou Ficar”, received modest local airplay, and later “Fica Só Olhando” followed.

• In 2013, her song “Show das Poderosas” became a breakout hit in Brazil. Its video went viral and solidified her national stardom.

Expansion & International Breakthrough

• Her third studio album, Bang (2015), included hits like “Deixa Ele Sofrer” and “Bang”, gaining strong chart positions and streaming numbers.

• She also collaborated with Latin artists, such as Maluma on “Sim ou Não”, expanding her reach in Latin America.

• Over time, she began recording in multiple languages (Portuguese, Spanish, English, Italian, French) to appeal to international markets.

• Her hit “Envolver” achieved global success, breaking into streaming charts and boosting her international recognition.

• Her 2022 album Versions of Me further cemented her position as a cross-genre and bilingual artist.

• In 2024, she announced her album Funk Generation, returning to her roots in Brazilian funk and emphasizing her identity and cultural heritage.

Recognition & Records

• She is one of Brazil’s most awarded artists: multiple Latin American Music Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, and Latin Grammy nominations.

• She holds records as a Brazilian female artist with numerous entries on Billboard Hot 100 and top streaming achievements.

• Her role in advocating for Brazilian funk’s legitimacy led to recognition in industry circles for expanding the genres represented in Latin music awards.

• She also founded a holding company, Rodamoinho, covering her music, events, audiovisuals, and related ventures.

Musical Style & Influence

Anitta’s artistic identity is built on versatility:

• Her core genres include pop, funk carioca, reggaeton, and electronic.

• She experiments with R&B, dance-pop, reggae, and blends international and Brazilian rhythms.

• She cites influences like Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Madonna, MPB artists like Caetano Veloso, and Brazilian cultural icons.

• Her performances emphasize sensuality, dance, and high production value—reflecting the posture of Brazilian funk dance culture.

Activism, Public Image & Legacy

Advocacy & Social Causes

• Anitta is vocal about environmental protection, especially concerning the Amazon rainforest, and indigenous rights.

• She has publicly opposed certain political figures and participated in movements like #EleNão, opposing Jair Bolsonaro during Brazilian elections.

• She supports LGBTQ+ rights and has at times spoken openly about her own bisexual identity.

• In 2025, she contributed as a songwriter to a samba school’s parade, centering Afro-Brazilian religious themes and community struggles.

Public Persona & Challenges

• Her image is sometimes polarizing: while many respect her artistry and courage, she has also faced criticism for provocative visuals or statements.

• She embraces duality: Larissa is the person behind Anitta, and the two personas reflect different sides of her creativity and identity.

• After falling ill in 2023, she said her priorities shifted—she is less concerned with chart performance, and more focused on creating music that truly represents her.

Her legacy is still unfolding, but she is already widely considered one of the most globally successful Brazilian music stars ever, and a key bridge between Brazilian culture and international audiences.

Memorable Quotes by Anitta

Here are some of her known quotes:

• “People sometimes are afraid to be who they are because of other people's ideals.”

• “I like everything that challenges me.”

• “I used to tell my family that I was going to be a singer since I learned how to talk.”

• From interviews: she has said that self-love is a job, that one must accept both the good and the bad parts of oneself.

• In her remarks about shifting priorities after illness:

  “Now I appreciate death so much … I want to try something that makes me feel like an artist again.”

These lines reflect her perseverance, vulnerability, and evolving self-awareness.

Lessons & Reflections from Anitta’s Journey

1. Reinvention is essential
   As she matured, Anitta consistently reinvented her sound, image, and approach, refusing to be boxed in.

2. Cultural pride can fuel global reach
   Embracing her roots in Brazilian funk gave her a unique voice in the international music scene.

3. Honesty about identity matters
   Her openness about sexuality, struggles, and dual personas speaks to evolving public authenticity.

4. Art over metrics
   Her shift after illness illustrates the importance of doing meaningful work over chasing only numbers.

5. Activism through art
   She uses her platform not just for entertainment, but to speak on environment, rights, and Afro-Brazilian heritage.

6. Dual selves can coexist
   Her balancing of Larissa and Anitta shows that public figures can maintain personal grounding while creating larger-than-self personas.

Conclusion

Anitta’s story is not just about chart-topping hits or viral videos—it is a portrait of a young woman from a modest Rio neighborhood who used talent, grit, and strategic alliances to become a global star. Along the way, she has pushed genre boundaries, taken on bold activism, and remained introspective about the cost and purpose of fame.