Anitta, the 31-year-old dynamo of the music scene, isn’t holding back when it comes to the highs and lows of her journey, including a health scare that rocked her world. In a recent chat with Variety, she opened up about her career trajectory, creative vision, and a mysterious illness that left her grappling with uncertainty.
Reflecting on her ambitious goals, Anitta admits to a relentless pursuit of her dreams. “I never thought that I wasn’t going to get what I wanted. Everyone around me has been maybe more realistic, but I just have these visions for how my life will turn out. I don’t tell anyone, because I know how easily outside pressure can influence the results.”
But behind the glitz and glam, Anitta faced a daunting health crisis. Describing a harrowing experience with an undiagnosed illness that plunged her into full-body pain and fevers, she reflects, “Now I appreciate death so much. I thought I was going to die. And if I did, I wanted to be sure I left behind a body of work that I felt truly represented me and the sounds I love.
I’d already had the hits; I already did it by the numbers. Death, and the fact that we don’t know what tomorrow holds, make me feel the most alive. Now I want to try something that makes me feel like an artist again.”
The tumultuous journey took its toll, nearly prompting Anitta to exit the music scene altogether. “I didn’t feel happy. I didn’t have the energy anymore. I was looking at the sales numbers too much, reading what the internet and critics had to say. And after having thought so much about what life could look like if I quit, or if I died … my priorities shifted.”
With her upcoming project, Anitta is reclaiming her artistic freedom. “For a long time, the numbers have decided whether I won or failed, and that will push you to do something unoriginal. I want to be very clear: That doesn’t mean I don’t love my old songs.”
Her forthcoming album marks a departure from the pressures of commercial success. “I don’t care what the f-ck is gonna happen with this next album. I love the adrenaline of not knowing whether people are going to like it.”
Anitta’s music is often characterized by its bold, explicit lyrics, but she clarifies that they’re not necessarily reflective of her personal life. “Brazilian funk is very, very sexual and very explicit, but those lyrics don’t reflect what I’m living personally now.”
Amidst her artistic evolution, Anitta remains grounded in her identity, balancing her public persona with her private self. “I can see myself leaving the name ‘Anitta’ behind…but I’ll never just be Larissa. I am very protective of her.”
Looking ahead, Anitta is gearing up for an intimate tour experience that promises to be nothing short of electrifying. “It’s not going to be enough for you to just stand there and watch. The person who goes to this concert will feel an urgency to be a part of it.”
As for what’s next, Anitta’s confident in her ability to keep audiences guessing. “I know what’s going to happen next. I’m going to keep making very surprising turns — you’ll be left like, ‘Who is this person?’”
