© Getty Images

Humble beginnings -

Anitta, the pseudonym of Larissa de Macedo Machado, was born in Rio de Janeiro on March 30, 1993. She was raised by her mother in the lower-class neighborhood of Honório Gurgel. Her brother, Renan Machado, serves as her artistic producer. She also has an older half brother from her father.

© Getty Images

Music as a true passion -

Since childhood, Anitta's true passion has always been music. At the age of eight, she began singing in the choir at her local church. She later went on to get a diploma in business administration, but she never stopped singing.

© Getty Images

First recognition -

As a teenager, she started posting YouTube videos of herself performing. Her videos got noticed by producers, and at 17 she won the Revelation of Music Award. This led to her getting her first contract with a record company.

© Getty Images

Anitta the singer -

Anitta's stage name was inspired by the character Anita, from the Brazilian TV miniseries 'Presença de Anita' (2001). She liked the character because she could be feminine and sexy, without being vulgar.

© Getty Images

Initial success -

Thanks to her contract with Warner Music Group in 2013, she had her true turning point. Her first singles, 'Meiga e Abusada' and 'Show das Poderosas,' made her a nationwide success.

© Getty Images

National boom -

With two albums out by 2014, it was nonetheless her third studio album, 'Bang!' (2015), that made her into a superstar.

© Getty Images

2016 Rio Olympics -

The success of her 'Bang!' album earned her the invitation to perform alongside fellow Brazilians Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil at the 2016 Olympics opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro.

© Getty Images

A multilingual artist -

Singing in English, Spanish, Italian, and her native Portuguese, Anitta crossed borders with the help of her multilingual talent.

© Getty Images

International collaborations -

Since her international career took off, Anitta has collaborated with the likes of Maluma, J Balvin, Madonna, Cardi B, and other major artists.

© Getty Images

Nothing to hide -

The Brazilian pop star has been open about her sexuality since the beginning of her career. Often joking, saying "I change boyfriends like I change panties," she identifies as bisexual.

© Getty Images

Mix of genres -

Combining the rhythms of her funk roots with pop, Anitta's music speaks to people around the globe. Her success with reggaeton music has also helped her gain recognition in Spanish-speaking countries.

© Getty Images

Breaking records -

With her hit song 'Envolver,' Anitta became the first solo Latin artist to reach the number one spot on music streaming platform Spotify in 2022.

© Getty Images

Netflix -

She has two Netflix docuseries out, 'Go, Anitta' (2018) and 'Anitta: Made in Honório' (2020). Both are about her life and achievements.

© Getty Images

Madame Tussauds wax figure -

As the biggest global female pop star to come from Brazil, Anitta received her own wax figure at Madame Tussauds New York. The wax figure was unveiled in 2022.

© Getty Images

Met Gala attendee -

Anitta attended her first Met Gala in 2021. She returned in 2022, wearing a stunning purple Moschino gown, decorated with pearls.

© Getty Images

Opening up about endometriosis -

In July 2022, the singer had surgery for endometriosis, which addressed symptoms that had been plaguing her for years. She shared on social media a variety of photos pre- and post-surgery, encouraging others to speak openly about their struggles with the condition.

© Getty Images

Real about plastic surgery -

One thing is for sure, Anitta lives unapologetically. She doesn't hide the fact that she's had plenty of work done, including, rhinoplasty, jawline reshaping, multiple breast reductions, implants, lip fillers, and more.

© Getty Images

Coachella success -

Anitta had her Coachella debut in 2022, performing twice at the renowned festival. The star was the first female solo artist from Brazil to perform. She also brought out surprise guests Snoop Dogg, Saweetie, and Diplo.

© Getty Images

Close with her origins -

Even with all of her international success, Anitta still remembers where she came from. The artist goes back to Brazil frequently, be it for music, family, or other business ventures.

© Getty Images

Everyone has flaws -

Her fans love her sincerity, and her first-person exposure of her own flaws. However, she has previously been heavily criticized for not taking a public stance on Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's far-right president, during the 2018 elections and his first two years in office. The singer responded at the time that she had not yet developed a real political consciousness based on facts.

© Getty Images

She has gotten political -

However, in recent years, her attitude has changed, and she has been very open about educating herself on Brazilian politics and history. She began to publicly defend the LGBTQ community, call out racial inequality, and speak against deforestation in Brazil.

© Getty Images

She's an Aries -

The singer's zodiac sign falls under Aries. Described by astrologers as determined, courageous, and intense, the star couldn't have been born under another sign!

© Getty Images

She's a huge fan of Mariah Carey -

Mariah Carey was her first musical reference, and as a kid she would play her songs to learn how to sing. The singers met randomly in 2019, while both of them were skiing in Aspen.

© Getty Images

Her first kiss was at the age of 10 -

Having her first kiss at a young age, the star was told by her friend that the boy she liked was waiting for her by the school fence. Anitta just went for it.

© Getty Images

Dancing isn't anything new -

Anitta has pulled off killer choreographies for many year now. Up until 2008, the star was a dance teacher for seniors and beginners in her native Rio.

© Getty Images

She rang in 2021 in Times Square -

Anitta performed at the traditional New Year's Eve party held in Times Square in 2020. She was the first Brazilian to participate in the celebration.

© Getty Images

The star practices Candomblé -

For many years, Anitta has been practicing Candomblé, an Afro-Brazilian religion that mixes Christianity and several of the traditional religions of West Africa.

© Getty Images

She has done some acting -

Anitta has also done some acting gigs in four Brazilian movies and in a Brazilian telenovela. Hollywood, prepare yourself: she might soon take it over as well!

Sources: (Billboard) (Los Angeles Times) (Rolling Stone) 

See also: Best Latin crossover stars of all time

© Getty Images