Nelly Furtado is pressing pause. The Canadian singer-songwriter announced on Friday (October 24) that she will step away from live performances “for the foreseeable future,” marking the decision with a heartfelt reflection on the 25th anniversary of her debut album, Whoa, Nelly!
In a moving Instagram post, Furtado — who rose to global fame in the early 2000s with hits like “I’m Like a Bird,” “Promiscuous,” and “Say It Right” — expressed deep gratitude for her career and fans, while emphasizing her lifelong love for songwriting. “I’ve decided to step away from performance for the foreseeable future and pursue other creative and personal endeavours that better suit this next phase of my life,” Furtado wrote. “I’ve enjoyed my career immensely, and I still love writing music as I have always seen it as a hobby I was lucky enough to make into a career.”
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The announcement coincided with the exact anniversary of her debut album’s release — October 23, 2000 — a record that propelled Furtado from indie hopeful to global pop force. Reflecting on her beginnings, she shared a photo from her first professional performance at Lilith Fair, recalling how she bought her outfit from a local Toronto shop before stepping onto the stage as a 20-year-old artist with a dream. “Twenty-five years later, my music has reached a whole new generation of fans, and I couldn’t be happier,” she continued. “It’s been so fun embracing this opportunity, getting out on stages again, and seeing up close the true lasting power of good music. It’s made me really believe in magic.”
The 46-year-old singer also used the milestone to thank her collaborators, team, and fans: “Endless gratitude to anyone who has ever listened and vibrated with my music and attended any of my shows. I love you and your open hearts.”
Her announcement follows a period of renewed visibility. After years out of the spotlight, Furtado reemerged in 2024 with her seventh studio album, 7 — a collaborative, genre-blending record featuring Tove Lo, SG Lewis, Bomba Estéreo, WondaGurl, and T-Minus. The album’s singles “Love Bites” and “Corazón” marked her first chart presence in years, and her energetic festival sets helped introduce her to a younger audience.
That resurgence was magnified by TikTok virality, where fans rediscovered her catalog — particularly Loose and Whoa, Nelly! — leading to millions of new streams. Yet, the attention also reignited challenges familiar to many women in music. Earlier this year, Furtado addressed body-shaming and industry scrutiny, posting about “body neutrality” and self-acceptance after being targeted online.
While Nelly Furtado is stepping away from performing, her message made it clear that she isn’t retiring. She plans to continue writing and creating music behind the scenes. Her closing words summed it up best: “I’ll identify as a songwriter forever.” The post ended with photos of her early career and a clip from her recent performance at Berlin’s Citadel Music Festival this summer.
Photo: Nelly Furtado/Instagram
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