Nelly Furtado is stepping away from live shows for now. In an emotional note celebrating 25 years of her debut album on Thursday night, the “Say It Right” singer announced that she won’t be performing onstage for the “foreseeable future” as she reflected on people reconnecting with her music over the past few years.
“I have decided to step away from performance for the foreseeable future and pursue some other creative and personal endeavors that I feel would better suit this next phase of my life,” Furtado wrote. “I have 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. I’ll identify as a songwriter forever.”
Furtado started her post by reflecting on the anniversary of Whoa, Nelly!, sharing a photo of herself as a 20-year-old and shopping for a “pink dres and some sparkly platform shoes to perform in.” She also reflected on how fun it’s been to see people “discover” her music in recent years.
“My music has reached a whole new generation of fans and I couldn’t be happier about that,” Furtado wrote. “In the year 2000, I remember feeling purpose in hoping some kid would dust off the Whoa, Nelly! vinyl one day in a record shop and think it was cool or inspiring, so I never could have guessed that there would be so many new ways to discover ‘old’ music in 2025!”
She added, “To have so many people rediscovering my music has been surreal and joyful. 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.”
Furtado ended her post by sharing her gratitude with the fans and those who’ve attended her shows and supported her career. “I deeply thank all of those who have worked so hard to help me make my pop dreams come true on a creative and organizational level. I thank all my brilliant collaborators and loyal champions,” she wrote. “I also wish to the new generation of artists many years of fruitful and passionate performance.”
Furtado released her album 7 last year after focusing on being a mother. She was inspired to get back to songwriting and recording after continually hearing her old music all over the place.
“I kept hearing my music being played and remixed by DJs, and at the same time, my eldest daughter was showing me how the online community — including a whole new audience of Gen Z fans — were discovering and embracing my music, 20 years later,” Furtado said in a statement at the time. “I heard the calling!”
