Nelly Furtado has revealed her decision to take a break from performing music for the “foreseeable future.”
She made this announcement in an Instagram post on Friday, October 24, reflecting on her quarter-century-long career.
“Today marks 25 years since the release of my debut album, Whoa, Nelly!,” Furtado, 46, wrote in her detailed caption.
Sharing nostalgic images from the last two decades, Furtado fondly reminisced about the beginnings of her journey in music.
“A quarter-century later, my music has found a fresh generation of fans, and I’m seriously thrilled,” she shared. “Back in 2000, I hoped some kid might one day find my Whoa, Nelly! vinyl and think it was cool. I never anticipated that there would be so many new ways to explore ‘old’ music by 2025!”
Furtado expressed her joy over the resurgence of interest in her music through the years before announcing her decision to take a step back from performing.
“Seeing so many people revisit my music has felt surreal and joyful. It has been an absolute thrill to embrace this opportunity to perform live again and witness, firsthand, the enduring impact of great music. It’s made me believe in magic,” she added.
She went on to say, “With that being said, I have chosen to pause my performances for the foreseeable future to dive into other creative and personal projects that align with this new stage of my life. I have thoroughly enjoyed my career, and I continue to cherish writing music, which I’ve always viewed as a fortunate hobby turned profession. I will forever identify as a songwriter.”
Nelly Furtado. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
The “Maneater” artist wrapped up her post by expressing heartfelt appreciation for her fans, collaborators, and everyone who played a part in realizing her “pop dreams.”
“I am eternally thankful for all the years filled with joy, community, and wonder,” she wrote. “A heartfelt thank you to anyone who has ever listened to, resonated with my music, or attended my shows. Your open hearts mean the world to me.”
This past year, Furtado discussed the impact of the industry’s expectations on her appearance and how they have evolved over time. She addressed body-shamers in a candid manner and shared her journey toward self-love through an empowering Instagram message.
“This year has opened my eyes to the aesthetic pressures of my profession in ways I had not noticed before, while I simultaneously embraced newfound levels of self-love and authentic confidence,” she stated in her post. “For those who are curious, I have never undergone any surgeries or augmentation on my face or body, aside from recently getting veneers on my upper teeth.”
Furtado also denied having received “face or lip injections or fillers.”
“My New Year’s resolution for 2025 is to express yourself freely, celebrate your uniqueness, and understand that it’s perfectly fine to be at peace with your reflection in the mirror or to desire something different,” she continued. “We are all wonderful human beings navigating through this world seeking connections and understanding.”
