Nelly Furtado’s Personal Life, Siblings, Parents, Husband, Boyfriend, Kids, Other Family and Dating History
Parents and Siblings:
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- Nelly Furtado was born on December 2, 1978, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
- Her parents are Antonio Jose (a stonemason and landscaper) and Maria Manuela (a hotel maid) Furtado.
- Her parents had immigrated to Canada from the Azores, a chain of islands that are part of Portugal, in the 1960s.
- She first became interested in music while listening to church choir practices her mother hosted in the family living room and while listening to her father’s records, which included Led Zeppelin, Blondie, and Billy Joel.
- Her tastes also ranged from R&B such as TLC and Salt-n-Pepa to British alternative rock bands like Radiohead and Oasis. Later, she discovered Portuguese singers such as Amalia Rodrigues and Brazilian singers such as Caetano Veloso. Brazilian music became her greatest inspiration, she told Time writer Christopher John Farley—“not just because it’s sung in Portuguese, which I understand and speak, but because it’s got all these great rhythmic elements.”
Relationships and Children:
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- Nelly Furtado has been in several significant relationships:
- She was in a relationship with Jasper “Lil’ Jaz” Gahunia, a DJ, with whom she has a daughter named Nevis.
- After their split in 2005, Furtado and Gahunia also remained close friends and actively co-parented their daughter.
- Later, she got married to sound engineer Demacio Castellon in 2008, but the couple eventually divorced in 2016.
- Nelly Furtado has been in several significant relationships:
Other Family:
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- Furtado’s family history and cultural influences played a significant role in shaping her musical journey.
- Her diverse tastes and inspirations have contributed to her unique blend of pop, rock, and international styles.
Personal Life
Nelly Kim Furtado was born on December 2, 1978, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. She grew up in a musical family, with her parents being of Portuguese descent. Her father was a stonemason, and her mother worked in a bank. Furtado’s interest in music began at an early age. She also played the trombone and sang in a church choir.
During her teenage years, she formed a trip-hop duo called “Nelstar” with a friend. They performed at local talent shows and events.
In 2000, Furtado released her debut album, “Whoa, Nelly!” The album blended pop, folk, and hip-hop influences. The lead single, “I’m Like a Bird,” also became a massive hit, earning her a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The album also featured the popular track “Turn Off the Light.” Her third studio album, “Loose” (2006), marked a significant turning point in her career. Produced by Timbaland, the album had a more urban and dance-oriented sound. It included chart-topping singles like “Promiscuous,” “Maneater,” “Say It Right,” and “All Good Things (Come to an End).” “Loose” sold over 10 million copies worldwide and solidified Furtado’s status as an international pop star. Furtado continued to release albums, experimenting with different genres.
