Nelly Furtado Announces Indefinite Hiatus From Performing

Nelly Furtado announced her decision to “step away from performance” indefinitely, citing her wish to pursue new passions that “would better suit” her next chapter.

By Will Reid Oct 25, 2025 5:44 PMTags
Watch: Nelly Furtado Announces Indefinite Hiatus from Performing

Nelly Furtado is ready to turn off the stage lights.

The “I’m Like a Bird” singer announced a major career shift, revealing her plans to take an indefinite break from live shows and touring.

“I have decided to step away from performance for the foreseeable future,” she wrote in a post on Instagram Oct. 23, “and pursue some other creative and personal endeavors that I feel would better suit this next phase of my life.”

The 46-year-old went on to thank her fans and collaborators “for all the years of fun, community and wonder” since the release of her debut album Whoa, Nelly! in October 2000.

“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,” she continued. “I’ll identify as a songwriter forever.”

Nelly also shared a positive message for budding musicians hoping to follow in her footsteps, wishing “many years of fruitful and passionate performance” to the “new generation of artists.”

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While the Grammy winner may be taking a break from performing, her hits continue to resonate with younger fans through social media.

“To have so many people rediscovering my music has been surreal and joyful,” she gushed. “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.”

Michele Eve Sandberg/Shutterstock

And Nelly has been quick to credit her 22-year-old daughter Nevis Gahunia—whom she shares with ex Jasper Gahunia—with helping her navigate the digital landscape.

“I would say when my music first started trending on TikTok, my oldest daughter was only 16 or 17,” Nelly told E! News in August 2024. “At the time, I was quite unfamiliar with it ‘cause I was home with the babies and stuff.” (Nelly is also mom to a 7-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son with rapper Jerry.)

In fact, Nelly noted that Nevis has come to play a pivotal role in her professional life.

“I'm lucky she comes in the studio with me and helps me out as well,” she gushed. “There's nothing better than having that creative connection with your child and being able to work on something special together.”

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