It’s no secret that 2022 was an important year for Anitta. She experienced many firsts: She became the first Brazilian artist to win an AMA, the first Brazilian artist to win, be nominated, and perform at the VMA’s, and also the first solo Latin artist to reach No. 1 on Spotify.

And that’s just barely scratching the surface. Anitta also got her first Grammy nod for ‘Best New Artist’ and was named 2022 Music Innovator by WSJ Magazine. 

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“My God, it feels so special. I could never, not even in my biggest dreams [did] I ever imagine that this would be happening to me,” expressed Anitta. 

mitú caught up with the Brazilian artist to talk more about her incredible year, and her recent partnership with Lays. 

How does it feel to not only have made history in 2022 but also represent and bring your culture to a global level?

Here in Brazil, the culture is so specific. It’s so unique. We are so into our own culture that for us to consider going outside, going international, it’s a whole other thing, it’s so much work to put out. I didn’t think that this would be happening, to be honest. And it’s amazing. I feel really happy.

Of all the things you experienced in 2022, what was your favorite moment and why?

I think winning the VMA was an amazing moment. It was a really happy moment.

Talk to us a little more about your partnership with Lays.

I really loved it. So [the] first time we worked was in Mexico. We were shooting a campaign, and I felt important because it was the moment that I had just won [a] VMA. And I was about to go to the AMAs, and I was feeling this energy with me. And whenever we were shooting, it was a movie going through my mind because Lays has been part of my life forever since my whole start in Brazil. I was in another country shooting for the Lays [TV spot] and then having those thousands of potatoes with me, making [the] energy for me to sing. That was just amazing. 

Yes, you read that right! Thousands of potatoes (6,000 to be exact) were used to generate electricity for the studio where Anitta and Lay’s produced a remix of her global hit “Envolver,” something that has never been done before! 

Not only that, but fans will also get a chance to win a voceteo kit signed by Anitta herself that plays their produced “Envolver” remix and includes a limited edition bag of Lay’s.

What’s the message you hope to spread with this partnership?

You should keep shining your own light. We have everything we need every day to keep shining and being this beautiful light for ourselves. So many times, I’ve been told what to do, whose careers to follow, and things only work when I trust myself, my own shine, my own work. So I think that’s the message.

If you could create any chip flavor, what would it be?

Oh, my God. I would do sweet and salt. With butter.

What are some things that you do to ‘stay golden’?

I do meditation every day. I do therapy every week. And one thing that I do every single morning and every single night, is just thank God for everything I have. Thank him for everything I am. And just to be alive, to be healthy, to be here, I think this is one thing that really makes me feel grounded. I just like to thank him for everything. I think every time we start the day like that, we just start better. And when I go to sleep, I project how my day will go. So when I close my eyes, I start to think, like, how my day is going to be amazing, how things are going to happen, because I think it can attract that to me because I’m throwing it out into the universe how I want things to be.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023?

I think I’m looking forward to my vacation. My vacation is something that I’ve been waiting for. I had a little vacation right now in the snow, but it was just one week. It was nothing. I’m going to travel everywhere. I’m going to just stay there, if you ask me. Where, I have no clue. I’m going wherever [my] heart tells me to go. So I can’t wait for that.

Before she can enjoy her well-deserved rest, Anitta will be gearing up for the Grammys this year. Much like she did last year, Anitta is prepared to bring Brazil with her every step of the way. 

It’s safe to say that 2023 is looking bright for Anitta!