Following its success in Australia, Germany and the U.K, the dream catcher reality-show Popstars arrives to Portugal via SIC in 2001, looking to create a five-piece girl group.
Over twelve hundred girls attended auditions, held in the cities of Coimbra, Porto, Faro and Lisbon, with hopes of securing a spot in the band.
During auditions in Faro, Liliana Almeida[pt] saw her participation be denied due to age restrictions - she was only 17. Almeida would eventually make it to the last day of auditions in Lisbon, which coincided with her 18th birthday.
By April 4 2001, the five finalists had been chosen: Andrea Soares, Ana Rita Reis, Fátima Sousa, Kátia Moreira, and Liliana Almeida were to become Portugal's Popstars. Nonstop was born.
Nonstop, the album
Nonstop's first single, "Ao Limite Eu Vou", was produced by Steelworks duo Tim Woodcock and Eliot Kennedy. The song became one of the biggest hits of summer 2001 in Portugal, reaching the top spot on the national music charts.
Nonstop's self-titled debut album was released on July 16, 2001. The album went to sell over 30,000 copies and was certified Gold.
Along with their success in Portugal came the interest of other countries, like Canada, Belgium, and South Africa.[citation needed] This same interest brought the Steelworks team back to Portugal, so that some of the album songs could be re-recorded in their original English versions.
Following the popularity of the song, "Basta Um Sorriso" was chosen to become the group's second single. Miguel Gaudêncio, who had worked with the girls on their first music video, was brought back to work with the group on what was intended to be he first Portuguese 3D music video for the song. However, the project would end up being scrapped in the end, due do lack of funds.
In January 2002, Fátima announced that she would be leaving the band. The remaining girls decided to go on as a four piece.
Nonstop continued promotion of their self-titled album by releasing a third single, "Não Há Nada Em Mim". The girls were often in the press and on TV, including a cameo appearance on the popular Portuguese teen series Uma Aventura... (still with Fatima). They also had a very strong online presence for the time, with a daily updated website Diary. Furthermore, "Olhar P'ra Ti (Só Para Ti)" was added to the original soundtrack of the Portuguese telenovela Fúria de Viver.[citation needed]
In August 2002, Nonstop was invited to perform "Ao Limite Eu Vou" on the Spanish edition of Popstars: Tudo Por Un Sueño. Soon after, the girls would part ways with their management at NZ Produções and join Lemon Entertainment.
E Tudo Vai Mudar
By the end of 2003, Nonstop was ready to release new music. After premiering their new single "E Tudo Vai Mudar" at the MTV Shakedown finale, that was held in Lisbon, the girls went to release their second studio album, Tudo Vai Mudar, on May 5 2004. Similarly to Nonstop, the album featured production from Steelworks. Portuguese producers as AC Firmino and Augusto Armada (Gutto); Carlos Juvantes and Gonçalo Pereira also worked with the group, providing them a "more mature" sound. The lead single, "E Tudo Vai Mudar", was amongst the 30 most played Portuguese songs on the radio of 2004, making Nonstop the only exclusively female artist/group featured on that list. Both the MTV Shakedown performance and official music video for the song were on high rotation on MTV Portugal. Nonstop continued to make appearances on TV, usually singing live. They were also guest stars on TVI's prime time series Inspector Max.
The girls' fifth single, "Play-back", a cover of Carlos Paião's hit in the 80s, was released on July 17 2004. Nonstop had previously covered the song, in 2003, on RTP's Domingo É Domingo, where they performed with a live band. However, the recorded version for the album would see different arrangements, with the girls picking up different parts of the song. Nonstop premiered their single live on SIC's primetime talk-show HermanSIC, after participating in a little comedy sketch with its host Herman José.
The "Tudo Vai Mudar Tour" took the girls abroad, to countries like Canada and France. In Portugal, Nonstop was the opening act of ex-Boyzone'sRonan Keating concert.
In 2005, Rita Reis was featured on two albums: Boss AC's Ritmo, Amor e Palavras, on the song "És Mais Que Uma Mulher"; and Gutto's Chokolate, the duet Importante. Rita, Andrea and Liliana would also made an appearance on Gutto's music video for "Só Quero Dançar".
Coisas de Nada, Eurovision Song Contest
After years of fighting for more creative freedom, Nonstop and their production company Videomedia part ways. The girls decide to take advantage of this situation and manage the group independently.
Still in 2005, the group is invited to do a cover of Boney M's "Daddy Cool" for RTP's Father's Days contest special of Um, Dois, Três. For Christmas, Nonstop perform on RTP's Gala Sonhos de Natal with a live band Britney Spears' "My Only Wish (This Year)".
In future TV appearances, the girls would choose to promote the ballad "Assim Como És", produced by AC and Gutto, and E Tudo Vai Mudar's original version, "Sooner Or Later".
At the beginning of 2006, Nonstop are invited by music producer Elvis Veiguinha to record "Coisas de Nada" (originally entitled Vem Dançar), one of two songs he had submitted for the RTP - Festival da Canção 2006. The contest took place on 10 March – Liliana's birthday – at Lisbon's Centro de Congressos. After a tie with fan favourite "Sei Quem Sou (Portugal)", by Vânia Oliveira, the jury's vote would overrule Coisas de Nada as the winner and would represent Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006, in Athens.
On 18 May 2006, following the same fate of previous Portuguese entries, Nonstop failed to make it to the final, coming in at 19th place on the semi-final. Furthermore, Eurovision fans would present them with the Barbara Dex Award for worst-dressed act of that year.
Nonstop Will Never Let You Go Or...
Despite the Eurovision results, Nonstop was eager to stay together and make new music. The girls would go into studio to record new material, but would not agree on a "sound" for the group.
For SIC's 14th anniversary, Nonstop performed "E Tudo Vai Mudar" in downtown Lisbon, during the Grande Parada de Aniversário da SIC parade.
In February 2007, Liliana is featured on Gutto's "Deixa Ferver"', along with Boss AC.
In March 2007, Kátia is invited by RTP to record the national broadcaster's 50 anniversary anthem, "O Primeiro Olhar", along with Anabela Brito and Operação Triunfo contestants David Ripado e Filipe Gonçalves. Appropriately, Kátia would be invited to record her own version of the song, that she would later perform at the Festival da Canção of that year. During the commemorations of the 50th anniversary, Andrea, Liliana and Kátia would be honoured for representing RTP/Portugal in Eurovision, alongside other Portuguese entries from the last 50 years.
In April 2007, days after performing at a fundraising event in Setúbal, Kátia announced her departure from the group. The remaining trio promised to honour all Nonstop's commitments, and although there were plans for new music, nothing ever materialized.
In 2008, the girls ventured in new projects. Rita teamed up with Gutto once again to be featured on Black Company's comeback album, Fora De Série, while Andrea and Liliana starred in the musical theatre productions of High School Musical and Fame. Kátia would also venture in musical theatre, joining the cast of Filipe La Féria'sJesus Christ Superstar.
Individually, the girls were on the forefront of the Portuguese house music scene, collaborating with national DJs on various tracks, including hits "Selfish Love" (2009), "Ibiza For Dreams" (2009) and "My World" (2011).
In 2012, Rita replaces Mónica Ferraz as the lead singer of Mesa.
In 2014, Andrea and Liliana reunite under the name Projecto Kaya, a musical project that mixes fado and semba with EDM. That same year, all four members would reunite for the first time since 2007, at a Mesa concert.
On April 28 2017, Nonstop would make a surprise appearance at the Revenge of the 90s party. The girls performed "Ao Limite Eu Vou". The surprise was so well received that the girls would join the Revenge of the 90s on tour until its last event in 2022.
In 2018, the girls were invited by ILGA Portugal to headline the Arraial Lisboa Pride.
Hermann José von KrippahlComM, known as Herman José, is a Portuguese-born German comedian, television host, actor and musician. He is best known for his numerous TV shows and comedy sketches. Starting his career in the mid-1970s, Hermann José has become one of Portugal's most recognized comedians and TV personalities, featuring in some of his shows, among others, Amália Rodrigues, Kylie Minogue, Ramalho Eanes, Tony Bennett, Roger Moore, Cher and Joan Collins. He also opened for Frank Sinatra's first and only concert in Portugal.
Portugal participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with the song "Coisas de nada" written by José Manuel Afonso and Elvis Veiguinha. The song was performed by the group Nonstop. The Portuguese broadcaster Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP) organised the national final Festival da Canção 2006 in order to select the Portuguese entry for the 2006 contest in Athens, Greece. The competition took place on 11 March 2006 where "Coisas de nada" performed by Nonstop emerged as the winner after tying for first place following the combination of votes from five-member jury panel and a public televote—the tie was decided in Nonstop's favour after their song scored the highest with the jury.
José Albano Cid de Ferreira Tavares is a Portuguese singer, composer and record producer. Internationally, Cid is best known for his 1978 progressive rock album 10,000 Anos Depois Entre Vénus e Marte and for representing Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 1980 with the song "Um grande, grande amor".
Portugal participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 with the song "Dança comigo" written by Emanuel and Tó Maria Vinhas. The song was performed by Sabrina. The Portuguese broadcaster Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP) organised the national final Festival da Canção 2007 in order to select the Portuguese entry for the 2007 contest in Helsinki, Finland. The competition took place on 10 March 2007 where the winner was selected exclusively by public televoting. "Dança comigo" performed by Sabrina emerged as the winner with 8,874 votes.
Samuel Martins Torres Santiago Mira, better known by his stage name Sam the Kid (STK), is a Portuguese rapper and producer from Chelas, in the civil parish of Marvila, Lisbon.
Katia Guerreiro is a South African-born Portuguese fado singer, who has released eight albums and has received several awards, including Order of Arts and Letters, Chevalier rank, from the French government and the Order of Prince Henry from the President of Portugal.
Portugal participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999 with the song "Como tudo começou" written by Tó Andrade and Jorge do Carmo. The song was performed by Rui Bandeira. The Portuguese broadcaster Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP) organised the national final Festival da Canção 1999 in order to select the Portuguese entry for the 1999 contest in Jerusalem, Israel. The competition took place on 8 March 1999 where "Como tudo começou" performed by Rui Bandeira emerged as the winner following the votes from 11 regional juries.
Anabela Braz Pires is a Portuguese singer and musical theatre actress, best known in Portugal by her first name, Anabela.
Catarina Cardoso Garcia da Fonseca Furtado is a Portuguese television presenter, actress and UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador. Catarina was born in Lisbon and is a daughter of RTP journalist Joaquim Furtado.
Popstars is a Portuguese reality television series based on the Popstars international series. In Portugal, Popstars was broadcast on the Portuguese Sociedade Independente de Comunicação (SIC) channel in 2001. The program was discontinued after one season.
Portugal participated in and won the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song "Amar pelos dois" written by Luísa Sobral. The song was performed by Salvador Sobral. In August 2016, the Portuguese broadcaster Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP) announced that they would be returning to the Eurovision Song Contest after a one-year absence following their withdrawal in 2016 due to poor results in previous contests and the broadcaster's insufficient promotion of music-related content. RTP organised the national final Festival da Canção 2017 in order to select the Portuguese entry for the 2017 contest in Kyiv, Ukraine. After two semi-finals and a final which took place in February and March 2017, "Amar pelos dois" performed by Salvador Sobral emerged as the winner after achieving the highest score following the combination of votes from seven regional juries and a public televote.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2018 was the 63rd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Lisbon, Portugal, following the country's victory at the 2017 contest with the song "Amar pelos dois" by Salvador Sobral. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP), the contest was held at the Lisbon Arena, and consisted of two semi-finals on 8 and 10 May, and a final on 12 May 2018. The three live shows were presented by Portuguese television presenters Filomena Cautela, Sílvia Alberto and Catarina Furtado, and Portuguese-American actress Daniela Ruah, marking the first time that the contest was presented by four hosts.
Salvador Vilar Braamcamp Sobral is a Portuguese singer, who won the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 for Portugal with the song "Amar pelos dois", written and composed by his sister, Luísa Sobral. In doing so, he gave Portugal its first ever win in the contest since its debut in 1964, ending the longest winless run by a country in Eurovision history. Sobral and his entry hold the Eurovision record for the highest-scoring winner, having earned a total of 758 points under the current voting system, after winning both the jury vote and televote.
Portugal participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "O jardim" written by Isaura. The song was performed by Cláudia Pascoal. In addition to participating in the contest, the Portuguese broadcaster Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP) also hosted the Eurovision Song Contest after winning the competition in 2017 with the song "Amar pelos dois" performed by Salvador Sobral. RTP organised the national final Festival da Canção 2018 in order to select the Portuguese entry for the 2018 contest in Lisbon. After two semi-finals and a final which took place in February and March 2018, "O jardim" performed by Cláudia Pascoal and featuring Isaura emerged as the winner after achieving the highest score following the combination of votes from seven regional juries and a public televote.
Portugal participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018 which took place on 25 November 2018 in Minsk, Belarus. The Portuguese broadcaster Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP) was responsible for organising their entry for the contest.
"O jardim" is a song performed by Portuguese singer Cláudia Pascoal and written by Isaura, which represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. It premiered on 25 February 2018, when it was performed live in the second semi-final of Festival da Canção 2018, Portugal's national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. The song was released as a digital download on 9 March 2018 by Universal Music Portugal. The song features uncredited vocals from the song's lyricist, Isaura.
Tiago Emanuel da Silva Miranda, known professionally as Conan Osíris, is a Portuguese singer-songwriter. His stage name is based on the main character from Japanese series Future Boy Conan and the ancient Egyptian god Osiris.
Rouge was a Brazilian pop girl group formed in 2002, through the SBT and Disney Channel talent show Popstars produced by RGB. The group comprised singers Aline Wirley, Fantine Thó, Karin Hils, Li Martins and Lu Andrade.
Portugal originally planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song "Medo de sentir" written by Marta Carvalho. The song was performed by Elisa. The Portuguese broadcaster Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP) organised the national final Festival da Canção 2020 in order to select the Portuguese entry for the 2020 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands. After two semi-finals and a final which took place in February and March 2020, "Medo de sentir" performed by Elisa emerged as the winner after achieving the highest score following the combination of votes from seven regional juries and a public televote.
Rita Carmo is a Portuguese portrait and concert photographer and photojournalist known for her work in the musical area. She is a resident photographer at Blitz Magazine since 1992, as well as a collaborator at various national publications such as Expresso and Forbes Portugal, and her photography work has been published in several international magazines around the world.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
