Canadian pop star Nelly Furtado has offered a rare glimpse into her life as a mother of three, speaking candidly about the unique bond she shares with her children—particularly her eldest daughter Nevis, 20. In a recent interview ahead of her much-anticipated album 7, the singer reflected on parenting, social media, and rediscovering her passion for music.
Furtado, best known for hits like “Promiscuous” and “Maneater,” shares her eldest daughter Nevis Gahunia with former partner Jasper Gahunia. She also has a six-year-old daughter and a five-year-old son from her relationship with rapper Hodgy. Despite balancing motherhood with a high-profile music career, the 45-year-old artist seems to have found a rhythm that keeps both aspects of her life in harmony.
Reflecting on the moment her music found new life on TikTok, Furtado said it was Nevis who first introduced her to the platform. “When my songs started trending on TikTok, my daughter was around 16 or 17,” she recalled. “At that time, I was mostly focused on my two younger kids and didn’t really understand the app.”
But Nevis stepped in, guiding her mother into the world of digital media. “She showed me how to create my first TikTok,” Furtado shared. That spark of collaboration soon extended beyond social media and into the recording studio.
As she worked on 7, her first studio album since 2017’s The Ride, Furtado found in her daughter not just inspiration, but a partner. Nevis became actively involved in the creative process, even earning an official credit as an A&R (Artist and Repertoire) contributor on the project.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have that kind of creative chemistry with my child,” Furtado said. “Having her join me in the studio and contribute ideas really made this project special. We’ve grown so much through the experience—her discovering a love for music, and me reconnecting with why I fell in love with it in the first place.”
The journey of creating 7 has been deeply personal for Furtado. Unlike her earlier work, which was often the product of label timelines and commercial expectations, this record was built over time, with patience and intention. “I’ve honestly never worked this hard on a project before,” she admitted. “I took years to make my debut album, Whoa, Nelly!, but with 7, I poured so much energy into every part of it. It was like one long, wild creative party.”
According to Furtado, the album features a rich mix of tracks that reflect the joy and effort she put into the process. “We had so many songs to choose from. It was about taking all that creative energy and boiling it down to something really fun, really vibrant.”
Set for release on September 20, 7 marks not only Furtado’s musical return but also a new chapter in her personal journey—one defined by connection, growth, and family. With her daughter by her side and a renewed passion for her craft, Nelly Furtado is ready to make her voice heard once again, on her own terms.
