SHE CLAWED HER WAY FROM POVERTY TO FAME

She grew up surrounded by poverty, crime, and drugs - and even faced sexual abuse at 14... now FEMAIL reveals how singing sensation Anitta has turned that childhood nightmare into a chart-topping dream

 

Daily Mail

June 3, 2023

 

Brazilian singing sensation Anitta, 30, has become a worldwide phenomenon in recent years - taking over the charts with her hits and winning a slew of awards and accolades

But she had to overcome a lot to get where she is now. She grew up in one of Rio de Janeiro's poorest neighborhoods but was fiercely determined to make a better life for herself

 

 

When Brazilian singing sensation Anitta was told by her parents that she would likely never make it as a star, it did not put a damper on her dreams - in fact, it only fueled her passion and drive even further. 

 

The musician, now 30, has become a worldwide phenomenon in recent years - taking over the charts with her hits, collaborating with some of the biggest artists on the planet, and winning a slew of awards and accolades along the way - but she had to overcome a lot to get where she is now. 

 

Anitta grew up in one of Rio de Janeiro's poorest neighborhoods, and due to her family's lack of funds, she was warned from a young age that her goal of becoming a famous singer was not going to be achieved very easily. But the songstress' love of performing and desire to make a better life for herself was so immense - that she vowed she would do whatever it took to succeed. And when she got involved in an abusive relationship at just 14, it drove her to want to prove the people who told her she'd never make it - including her own family - wrong even further. 

 

The determined teen, whose real name is Larissa de Macedo Machado, hired tutors to teach her English and enlisted a speech therapist to help minimize her accent so she'd be taken seriously by executives. She would perform at local parties and events, and use the money to book herself flights to the US, where she would spend days trying to network and market herself. 

 

 

                                      

As Anitta continues her conquer, FEMAIL went ahead and recapped her impressive journey from start to finish

 

She also started recording videos of herself performing and uploading them to YouTube - where she eventually caught the attention of a well-known Brazilian producer. Impressed by her talent and tenacity, he then helped her land a record deal with Warner Music Group Brazil - and the rest is history. 

 

As Anitta continues her conquer, FEMAIL went ahead and recapped her impressive journey from start to finish.