Nelly Furtado marked the 25th anniversary of her breakout album with a major career shift, announcing she’s stepping away from live performances indefinitely.
The timing of the announcement aligns with a milestone in Furtado’s career—25 years since the release of her debut album Whoa, Nelly! in 2000. The record catapulted her to international fame, driven by the success of “I’m Like a Bird,” which earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 2002.Furtado’s decision to pause live shows comes shortly after a high-profile return to music. Even as she steps away from the stage, Furtado emphasized that her connection to music remains strong:
“I have enjoyed my career immensely” and will still “identify as a songwriter forevera,”
The Portuguese-Canadian artist wrapped her Better Than Ever summer tour in August, performing at festivals and venues across multiple cities. Reflecting on the experience in her Instagram post, she said it had “been so fun” to get “out on stages again and seeing up close, the true lasting power of good music.”