Pabllo Vittar

Phabullo Rodrigues da Silva (born November 1, 1993), known professionally as Pabllo Vittar (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpablu viˈtaɾ]) is a Brazilian drag queen, singer and songwriter.[2] Vittar appeared on TV for the first time in 2014, on a Brazilian talent singing show, performing "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston.[3] He became famous in the media in 2015 with the success of his music video "Open Bar",[4] a Portuguese-language version of Major Lazer's song "Lean On" with original lyrics, produced by Bonde do Rolê and Omulu.[5] In less than four months, the video reached one million views on YouTube.[6] He also released an extended play with the same name, using pop hits' instrumentals with new arrangements and lyrics.

Pabllo Vittar
Vittar during an interview in April 2018
Born
Phabullo Rodrigues da Silva

(1993-11-01) November 1, 1993
NationalityBrazilian
Occupation
Years active2015–present
Musical career
Genres[1]
InstrumentsVocals
LabelsSony Music
Websitepabllovittar.com.br/en/

On January 12, 2017, his debut studio album Vai Passar Mal was released – including the singles "Nêga", "Todo Dia", "K.O.", "Corpo Sensual", "Então Vai" (with Diplo) and "Indestrutível". In the same month he released "Todo Dia" as the second single of the album, which became notorious in Brazilian Carnival due to its lyrics. The third single "K.O." became an even bigger hit and brought Vittar to nationwide fame and success; as of 2019, the song has over 350 million views on YouTube. The fourth single, "Corpo Sensual", was released on September 6, 2017, to similar success, resulting in over 290 million views on YouTube.

Vittar has been featured in songs by international artists such as Major Lazer's "Sua Cara" (with fellow Brazilian singer Anitta). The music video was released on July 30, 2017, and reached 10th place on the list of most viewed online videos in the first 24 hours, with 25 million views.[7] The singer also appears on "I Got It", from Charli XCX's fourth mixtape Pop 2. Vittar collaborated again with XCX on "Flash Pose", released on July 25, 2019; the single was later included on Vittar's 111 1 EP. He also got to perform "Flash Pose" at the 2019 MTV Europe Music Awards.

On August 15, 2018, Pabllo Vittar released his second studio album Não Para Não – including the singles "Problema Seu", "Disk Me", "Seu Crime", "Buzina" and "Não Vou Deitar". Vittar toured in support of the album, in Brazil and internationally. An extended tour called "NPN Pride" saw Vittar performing in various pride parades throughout USA and Canada. The first two singles were released to great success, with "Disk Me" reaching over 71 million views and "Problema Seu" reaching over 97 million views on Youtube. The singles "Seu Crime" and "Buzina" also were successful, albeit with smaller numbers, with both reaching over 20 million views on Youtube. This album also featured Brazilian singers Dilsinho and Ludmilla in "Trago seu Amor de Volta" and "Vai Embora", respectively.

On October 31, 2019, Pabllo Vittar released the 111 1 EP – including the singles "Parabéns" (with Brazilian rapper Psirico), "Amor de Que" and "Flash Pose" (with Charli XCX). Following the success of the 111 1 EP, "Amor de Que" rose to success thanks to the 2020 Brazilian Carnival, with the song reaching over 50 million views in just a month; as of 2020, the song has over 97 million views. "Parabéns" was released as the second single and also enjoyed similar success, with over 94 million views on Youtube as of 2020. "Flash Pose" had modest success, reaching over 23 million views on Youtube.

On March 24, 2020, Vittar's third studio album 111 was released – including the singles "Clima Quente" (with Brazilian Jerry Smith), "Tímida" (with Thalía) and "Rajadão"; the songs from the EP were also included in the album. Vittar collaborated with various artists on the album, and included songs in Portuguese, English and Spanish.

With the nomination of "Sua Cara" at the 19th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, Vittar became the first Grammy-nominated drag queen. He also became the first drag queen to win an EMA award in its 25-year run for Best Brazilian Act.

Biography

Born in São Luís, Phabullo is a dizygotic twin and has an older sister. Phabullo spent part of his childhood and adolescence living in the cities of Santa Ines and Caxias, both in the interior of Maranhão, due to financial difficulties. He never knew his father, who abandoned his mother, a nurse, when she was pregnant with him.[8]

During his childhood, Phabullo experienced bullying because of his delicate gestures and feminine voice. He was physically assaulted with a plate of hot soup thrown over his face.[9][10] He attended ballet classes during this period.[11]

At the age of 13, Phabullo began doing covers at family parties and school performances and joined a choir at a Catholic church.[12][13] Soon after, he began songwriting. Later, he decided to become a professional, moving to São Paulo with his sister, where he worked in several places, such as snack bars and beauty salons. Soon after, he moved to Uberlândia with his mother, who had recently married. At the age of 15, he came out to his mother, who had suspected that he was gay; his sister already knew about his sexual orientation.[14] His mother, whom he talks to daily, is supportive of his sexual orientation.[15]

"Pabllo Vittar is a boy. Who is a girl. Who has no gender. Who is not afraid. Who prefers a thousand times to be on a stage than anywhere else in the world."

Phabullo on "Who is Pabllo Vittar?".[12]

He then began to go out for the night in Maranhão, to make friends, and to participate as one of a selection of singers in a house of shows. He started performing his own songs and impersonating celebrities for a small fee, but it was not a professional job. He was now dressing feminine, but did not identify himself as a drag queen; the first time that he did drag was at age 17 in Uberlândia, to publicize a party of his friend by delivering pamphlets at the door of a nightclub.[8][16] With time, he started performing in LGBT parades in diverse cities of Maranhão and became known by the state's LGBT community. At age 18, in Minas Gerais, Phabullo started participating in and winning some beauty contests in full drag, before beginning his professional career as a singer while adopting the stage name of "Pabllo Knowles", an homage to singer Beyoncé.[12] His first performance as a drag queen occurred at the Belgrano nightclub, of producers Ian Hayashi and Leocádio Rezende (whom Phabullo would later call his "parents").[13][17]

Still in Minas Gerais, Phabullo took a university entrance exam by the Federal University of Uberlândia, where he was admitted to the full design course in 2013, but after some periods he dropped out of college due to his schedule of shows, which increased greatly due to the success of his music videos on the internet and his participation in the band of primetime television program Amor & Sexo.[18]

When he attracted attention from entrepreneurs in the entertainment field,[14] Phabullo began his musical career professionally, performing in bars and concert halls in Uberlândia and cities of the region. In this period, Phabullo adopted the stage name of Pabllo Vittar.[19]

Artistry

Musical and vocal style

Vittar is mainly a pop singer, although his music incorporates other genres.[15][20] His debut studio album Vai Passar Mal mixes pop with elements of electronic music and Brazilian genres such as tecnomelody, arrocha, funk carioca, and forró.[21][22] Music critics noted that his second studio album Não Para Não follows a similar formula, mixing Brazilian and international influences.[23] Speaking about the latter album, Vittar explained: "I lived in Santa Izabel do Pará and listened to cumbia, carimbó, tecnobrega and guitarrada. In Maranhão, I heard axé and Bahia pagode. Pabllo Vittar is all over this album, I cannot go against my origins."[24] His lyrics often explore themes such as love, self-confidence, and partying.[22]

Vittar is a countertenor with 2.3 octaves of vocal extension already exhibited, spanning from flat E in the third octave (E♭3) to G# in the fifth octave (G♯5). Sérgio Anders, a singing professor at the State University of Minas Gerais, considers Vittar to have "an infantile voice in an adult male". While he views Vittar as a good singer, Anders opines that his technique is not very developed.[25] Shannon Sims of The New York Times described Vittar's voice as a "nasal soprano".[26]

Influences

Vittar has cited Beyoncé (left) and RuPaul (right) as two major influences on his work

Vittar grew up listening to artists such as Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer, Whitney Houston, and Tina Turner, whom he imitated as a child before he even considered becoming a drag queen, as well as Gilberto Gil, Ney Matogrosso, Elis Regina, Alcione Nazareth, and Caetano Veloso.[27] He became interested in drag after watching the reality show RuPaul's Drag Race and cited RuPaul as an important inspiration: "All the drag artists in this world have to thank RuPaul for the visibility we have today."[8] Some participants of the show have also influenced Vittar, notably April Carrion and Naomi Smalls.[28] Model Bella Hadid visually influences him, especially his makeup and style.[29] His music and performances are greatly influenced by bands such as Banda Batidão and Companhia do Calypso.[30][31]

Early in his career, he used the stage name Pabllo Knowles as a reference to Beyoncé.[12] Other influences include Rihanna,[32] Kanye West, Lady Gaga, and Britney Spears,[33] as well as his "Sua Cara" collaborators Anitta and Major Lazer.[32] While making his debut album Vai Passar Mal, Vittar explained that he listened to several artists to find inspiration, citing Liniker and Elza Soares as examples.[12] The album was also influenced by Lana Del Rey, Allie X, Rihanna's album Anti, and Beyoncé's album Lemonade.[34]

Public image and impact

"I think gender doesn't matter to me. If you write 'him,' I'll find it incredible, if you write 'her,' same. But when I get in drag... I won't stand in front of the mirror two hours putting on makeup for someone to call me 'he,' right? Call me 'she'! 'She' is beautiful, 'she' is a singer, 'she' is a drag queen! I like to be called in the feminine."

Vittar on pronouns

Vittar's music is considered as "unofficial anthems for Brazil's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community"[26] and he is widely viewed as a voice for them. Because dangers to LGBT+ people have grown in Brazil,[35] Vittar's openness about being gay has made him an icon to those living in a prejudiced environment. As an openly gay Brazilian drag queen, Vittar has served as a positive representation of homosexuality and gender fluidity. He used his visibility to support LGBT+ individuals in Brazil and in other countries in South America. He said: "They tell me a lot about their daily struggle to go out on the street being gay, being drag. I want to give them strength so they can continue being who they are."[15] Vittar also appeared on A Força do Querer ("Edge of Desire"), a popular soap opera about a transgender man.[26] After seeing Vittar perform at the Rock in Rio festival, actor Fabio Assunção wrote in a Facebook post: "You represent the possibility of truth in a sea of hypocrisy. Your public figure is the voice of many suffocated people."[15]

In an interview for Veja magazine, Vittar revealed that he chose a masculine stage name because he wanted to be truthful to the public, since he is not transgender. He only acts as a woman when he's on stage as Pabllo Vittar and has a more typical masculine gender expression in his private life.[36] During the same interview, Vittar said he is "making music for humans."[34] Since his debut, Vittar became the most followed and most streamed drag queen in the world, surpassing RuPaul.[20] In 2020, Vittar was featured in a campaign for Calvin Klein, as part of the designer's pride collection.[37]

Discography

Filmography

Film

Title Year Role Notes
Crô em Família 2018 Himself[38]

Television

Title Year Role(s) Network Notes
Amor & Sexo 2016–17 Band Vocalist Rede Globo
A Força do Querer 2017 Himself[39] Rede Globo Episode: "October 5, 2017"
Vai Que Cola 2017 Himself[40] Multishow Episode: "Você Decide"
Prazer, Pabllo Vittar 2018 Host[41] Multishow
O Outro Lado do Paraíso 2018 Himself[42] Rede Globo Episode: "May 11, 2018"
Super Drags 2018 Goldiva[43] Netflix Original Voice
Autênticas 2019 Himself[44] GNT Season 2
Queen of Drags 2019 Guest judge[45] ProSieben Season 1
Soltos Em Floripa 2020 Himself[46] Prime Video Season 1

Tours

  • Open Bar Tour (2015–2016)
  • Vai Passar Mal Tour (2017–2018)
  • Não Para Não Tour (2018–2019)
  • 111 Tour (2021)

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2017 Melhores do Ano Song of the Year K.O. Won
2018 Latin Grammy Award Best Urban Fusion/Interpretation "Sua Cara" (with Major Lazer and Anitta) Nominated
MTV Millennial Awards Brazil Musical Act Pabllo Vittar Nominated
MIAW Icon Nominated
Selfie of the Year Nominated
Fandom of the Year Vittarlovers Nominated
Feat of the Year "Joga Bunda" (with Aretuza Lovi and Gloria Groove) Nominated
Insta BR @pabllovittar Nominated
Brasileiros do Ano Brazilian of the Year Pabllo Vittar Won
MTV Europe Music Award Best Brazilian Act Nominated
2019 British LGBT Awards Online Influencer Nominated
Premios Juventud Best Choreography "Caliente" (with Lali) Nominated
MTV Millennial Awards Brazil Musical Act Pabllo Vittar Won
Fandom of the Year Vittarlovers Nominated
Music Video of the Year "Seu Crime" Nominated
Gay Times Honours Drag Hero Award Pabllo Vittar Won
Meus Prêmios Nick Favorite National Artist Nominated
Style of the Year Nominated
MTV Europe Music Award Best Brazilian Act Won
2020 MTV Europe Music Award Won


Year Award Category Result Ref.
2020 Meus Prêmios Nick Favorite Artist Pending
2020 BreakTudo Awards Brazilian Music Video Pending
2020 Prêmio Jovem Brasileiro Melhor Live Nominated
2020 MTV Millenial Awards Brazil Musical Artist Pending
2020 Multishow Brazilian Music Award [47] Clipe TVZ Pending

References

  1. "Drag Pabllo Vittar lança EP com versões de Ellie Goulding, Rihanna e Beyoncé". Virgula (in Portuguese).
  2. Billboard Brasil. "Meet Pabllo Vittar: Major Lazer's Favorite Brazilian Drag Queen". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  3. Williams, Jeremy (October 9, 2019). "International drag superstar Pabllo Vittar headlines Orlando's Pride Stage". Watermark Online. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  4. "Conheça a Pabllo Vittar, drag brasileira que ganhou o Diplo com clipe de estreia". A Gambiarra (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on November 14, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  5. Sanches, Carolina (January 26, 2016). "Drag brasileiro Pabllo Vittar lança clipe de estreia transformando Major Lazer em sambinha". Tv Globo. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  6. Rocha, Pedro (October 8, 2015). "Pabllo Vittar fala de carreira, sucesso e novos projetos em entrevista ao G1". Tv Globo. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  7. "Watch Major Lazer's Steamy 'Sua Cara' Video Featuring Anitta & Pabllo Vittar: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  8. "Pabllo Vittar: tem drag no samba" [Pabllo Vittar: there's drag in samba]. G1. February 27, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  9. "Pabllo Vittar sobre preconceito: "Jogaram sopa quente na minha cara"" [Pabllo Vittar about prejudice: "They threw hot soup over my face"]. JCOnline/UOL. February 17, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  10. ""Jogaram sopa quente na minha cara", diz Pabllo Vittar a revista Trip" ["They threw hot soup over my face", says Pabllo Vittar to Trip Magazine]. Doistercos. February 18, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  11. Astuto, Bruno (August 1, 2017). "Pabllo Vittar evita rótulos sobre sua sexualidade e diz: "Meu negócio é transitar"" [Pabllo Vittar avoids labels about his sexuality and says: "My thing is to transition"]. Época. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  12. Laranja, Ricardo (December 22, 2015). "Pabllo Vittar: "Estou aqui para desconstruir gêneros"" [Pabllo Vittar: "I'm here to deconstruct genders"]. medium.com. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  13. "Pabllo Vittar: "Para dar close, a gente vai até num vulcão em erupção"" [Pabllo Vittar: "To look sickening, we even go to an erupting volcano"]. O Globo. January 27, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  14. "Jovem cantor Pabllo Vittar conhece a TV Integração" [Young singer Pabllo Vittar meets TV Integração]. Rede Globo. December 6, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  15. Phillips, Dom (October 21, 2017). "Brazil's LGBT pop sensation: 'I want to give them strength'". The Guardian. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  16. Vieira, Bianka (February 16, 2017). "Ninguém tomba Pabllo Vittar" [Nobody takes Pabllo Vittar down]. Revista Trip/UOL. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  17. Junior, Analio (December 22, 2015). "FAMA: Drag Queen maranhense bomba na web e substitui Léo Jaime no "Amor e Sexo" da Rede Globo!!!" [FAME: Drag queen from Maranhão breaks the internet and replaces Léo Jaime on "Amor e Sexo", from Rede Globo!!!]. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  18. "Cantora do Amor & Sexo, Pabllo Vittar também é estudante de Design de Interiores" [Singer on "Amor e Sexo", Pabllo Vittar is also student of Design]. Jornal Extra website. Info Globo/Grupo Globo. February 26, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  19. Monteiro, Carolina (December 18, 2015). "Sucesso com 'Open bar', Pabllo Vittar se apresenta em Uberlândia" [Success with "Open Bar", Pabllo Vittar performs in Uberlândia]. Correio de Uberlândia. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  20. Codinha, Alessandra (November 27, 2018). "What Pabllo Vittar, Pop Superstar, Means to Brazil (and the Rest of Us) Right Now". Vogue. Condé Nast. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  21. Dias, Tiago (September 18, 2017). "Após arrasar com a Cidade do Rock, Pabllo Vittar quer voltar em 2019" [After demolishing the Cidade do Rock, Pabllo Vittar wants to return in 2019]. UOL HOST (in Portuguese). Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  22. Oliveira, Luccas (January 27, 2017). "Crítica: Disco de Pabllo Vittar é um cartão de visitar feito sob medida para seu público" [Review: Pabllo Vittar's album is a visit card tailored for its audience]. Globo (in Portuguese). Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  23. Ferreira, Mauro (October 5, 2018). "Pabllo Vittar exacerba busca incessante pelo sucesso na sintética batida pop do álbum 'Não para não'" [Pabllo Vittar exacerbates incessant search for success with the synthetic pop beat of the album 'Não Para Não']. Globo (in Portuguese). Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  24. Manhães, Eduardo (October 4, 2018). "Pabllo Vittar lança seu segundo álbum e garante que haters não tiram seu sono" [Pabllo Vittar releases his second album and guarantees that haters do not make him lose sleep]. Globo (in Portuguese). Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  25. Peixoto, Mariana (January 8, 2018). "Pabllo Vittar canta bem? Professores de canto avaliam voz da drag queen" [Does Pabllo Vittar sing well? Singing professors assess the drag queen's voice]. uai.com.br (in Portuguese). Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  26. Sims, Shannon (October 7, 2017). "Transgender Brazilians Embrace Hit Soap Opera: 'Now You Can See Us'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  27. Pascowitch, Joyce (December 15, 2017). ""2017 foi meu sim", diz Pabllo Vittar, capa da revista J.P. de dezembro. Alguém tem dúvida?" ["2017 was my yes," says Pabllo Vittar, the cover star of December's J.P. Does anyone have any questions?]. UOL HOST (in Portuguese). Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  28. "Entrevista: em clima de Open Bar, Pabllo Vittar mostra que veio pra ficar" [Interview: in the atmosphere of Open Bar, Pabllo Vittar shows that he is here to stay]. MTV Brasil. January 28, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  29. Carasco, Daniela (July 20, 2017). "Pabllo Vittar revela as 5 divas que a inspiram" [Pabllo Vittar reveals the 5 divas who inspire him]. UOL HOST (in Portuguese). Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  30. César, Cristian (February 2, 2018). "Pabllo Vittar: A mistura de culturas" [Pabllo Vittar: The mixture of cultures]. Acesso Cultural. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  31. Zalc, Caio (September 19, 2017). "Seu amor nos pegou". Universo AA. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  32. Fagundes, Caca (July 15, 2017). "Pabllo Vittar fala ao G1 sobre amizade com Anitta e sonho de parceria com Rihanna" [Pabllo Vittar talks to G1 about friendship with Anitta and dream of collaboration with Rihanna]. Globo (in Portuguese). Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  33. Hahne, Stephanie (July 12, 2019). "Pabllo Vittar lista os cinco discos que mudaram sua vida para o TIDAL" [Pabllo Vittar lists the five records that changed his life for TIDAL]. Tenho Mais Discos Que Amigos. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  34. Torres, Leonardo (January 12, 2017). "Entrevista: Pabllo Vittar fala sobre álbum novo, parceria com Diplo, clipes e início da produção do próximo disco" [Interview: Pabllo Vittar talks new album, partnership with Diplo, music videos and production of next album.]. POPLine. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  35. "Brazil as World LGBT Murder Capital and Rio's Place in the Data". RioOnWatch. July 10, 2017.
  36. Fabio, Matheus (January 28, 2017). "Pabllo Vittar tira dúvidas sobre sua identidade de gênero em nova entrevista e confirma gravação de clipes para "K.O." e "Indestrutível" do novo álbum" [Pabllo Vittar questions his gender identity in new interview and confirms music videos for "K.O." and "Indestructible", from his new album.]. Portal Famosos. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  37. Palumbo, Jacqui. "Black trans model Jari Jones fronts Calvin Klein's Pride campaign". CNN. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  38. "Crô em Família: Elenco, atores, equipe técnica, produção – AdoroCinema (ver lista completa)". AdoroCinema. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  39. "Pabllo Vittar realiza sonho de criança fazendo ponta em "A Força do Querer"". Universo Online. October 4, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  40. "Episódio 200 de 'Vai Que Cola' será estilo 'Você Decide'". Jornal do Commercio. November 21, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  41. "'Prazer, Pabllo Vittar': Multishow vai contar a história da cantora e drag queen em programa que estreia no dia 1º de maio". Multishow. March 13, 2018. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  42. "Pabllo Vittar grava participação em novela e é tietada por Mayana Neiva". Universo Online. May 5, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  43. "Super Drags: Pabllo Vittar lança música inédita para série da Netflix". Observatório do Cinema. October 31, 2018. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  44. "LELLÊAutênticas: Pabllo Vittar, Lellê, Lexa e Luisa Sonza falam sobre a segunda temporada do programa". Portal Pop Line. May 30, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  45. "Pabllo Vittar é jurada especial em Queen of Drags, seriado da TV alemã". UOL. November 29, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  46. ""Soltos em Floripa": Divulgados pôster e data de estreia do novo reality show com Pabllo Vittar e outros famosos". Pop Linw. November 29, 2019. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  47. Metropoles. "Multishow anuncia indicação de Pabllo Vittar após agitação de fãs na web". Metropoles. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
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