Nelly Furtado to take indefinite break from performing and touring

Singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado has announced that she is taking an indefinite break from live performances and touring.

The I’m Like a Bird hitmaker shared the news in an Instagram post, saying, “I have decided to step away from performance for the foreseeable future, and pursue some other creative and personal endeavours that I feel would better suit this next phase of my life.”

In her post, Nelly thanked her fans and collaborators “for all the years of fun, community and wonder” since the release of her debut album Whoa, Nelly! in 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 wrote. “I’ll identify as a songwriter forever.”

The Grammy-winning artist also shared an encouraging message for aspiring musicians, wishing “many years of fruitful and passionate performance” to the “new generation of artists.”

Although Nelly is stepping back from live performances, her songs continue to gain popularity among younger audiences on social media.

“To have so many people rediscovering my music has been surreal and joyful,” she told E! News in August. “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.”