Gretchen (singer) explained

Gretchen
Birth Name:Maria Odete Brito de Miranda
Birth Date:29 May 1959
Birth Place:Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Years Active:1978–present
Party:MDB (since 2022)
Spouse:
    Children:7 (including Thammy)
    Relatives:Sula Miranda (sister)
    Module:
    Embed:yes
    Background:solo_singer
    Instrument:Vocals

    Maria Odete Brito de Miranda de Souza (born 29 May 1959),[1] [2] known professionally as Gretchen, is a Brazilian singer and media personality. Gretchen is the older sister of Brazilian country singer Sula Miranda, and mother of Brazilian politician Thammy Miranda. She is known for reinventing her music and image, and for keeping her autonomy within the music industry.[3] She has a vast musical repertory, and has been the source of some controversy throughout her career. Referred to as the "Rainha do Bumbum" ("Butt Queen"),[4] Gretchen has sold 15 million records over nearly four decades.[5] [6]

    Her professional name was inspired by the Brazilian movie Aleluia, Gretchen, which tells the story of a German Brazilian immigrant family.[7]

    Career

    After doing backing vocals for years, Gretchen appeared on a TV show in 1978 and soon recorded her debut single, "Dance With Me",[8] disco song inspired in Charo's "Dance a Little Bit Closer".[9] In 1980, 1981 and 1982, she released her three most successful albums: My Name Is Gretchen, You and Me, and Lonely.[8] These three albums featured songs that became hallmarks in her career, such as "Freak Le Boom Boom",[1] "Melô do Piripipi", "Conga Conga Conga".[1] [8] She sold more than 15 million records worldwide.[10] Between 1980 and 1982, she grabbed the media's attention by making "sexy" music, while still enjoying popularity among children. After Lonely in 1982, she went on a downward spiral while trying to remain on the charts. Born as a Roman Catholic, Gretchen embraced the Protestant faith in the 1990s, and began singing gospel music.[8]

    By the end of the 1990s, her hits had returned to the dance floors. With the emergence of Butt Music stars like Carla Perez, Gretchen was eventually recognized as a forerunner of the hip shakers.[4] [8] The compilation 20 Super Sucessos came out in 1998 on Copacabana/EMI.

    Gretchen signed a contract to star in a porn movie for Brazilian porn producers Brasileirinhas in 2006, following the example of Rita Cadillac, with whom she appeared in the 1982 pornochanchada Aluga-se Moças.[1] The movie, La Conga Sex,[11] [12] was released by November, followed by another porn title, Carnaval 2007, released in February 2007.

    In 2008, she became candidate of Cidadania to be mayor of the city of Itamaracá.[2] [13] [14]

    On July 3, 2017, she was featured on Katy Perry's "Swish Swish" lyric video.[15] [16] She also appeared with Rita Cadillac in a Netflix Brasil commercial to promote the series GLOW.[17]

    Legacy and impact

    Gretchen has become a pop culture and internet icon during the 2010s.[18] American recording artist Katy Perry claimed that "She is the internet!"[19] Alvaro Neder of AllMusic wrote about her rise to stardom and the impact of her dancing style:

    Relying in her dizzying curves and hot dancing style, the Carioca vocalist Gretchen was launched in the late 70's by Mister Sam, soon performing around Brazil with the group Záccaro. After her TV debut at the Sílvio Santos show, she was invited to record "Dance With Me", but big hits ("Freak Le Boom Boom", "Melô do Piripiri", "Conga Conga Conga" "I Love You/Je T'Aime") came only between 1980-2 with My Name Is Gretchen, You and Me and Lonely. In that period, she became a popularity phenomenon, having been one of the most successful Brazilian artists, performing shows by the thousands and appearing regularly in the most famous TV programmes [...] With the decline of her vogue in the 80's, despite her efforts in the exploration of new fashionable rhythms like the lambada, she converted to Protestantism and became a gospel singer. In the 90's her hits became cults in the Brazilian elegant dance floors, and, with the success of similarly shaped and styled singers/dancers like Carla Perez and others revealed by É o Tchan and its epigones, Gretchen was finally acknowledged as the pioneer of a style.[20]

    Personal life

    Gretchen has seven children, five biological and two adoptive, including Thammy Miranda;[21] she is also the sister of Yara and Sula Miranda, who are also in the music business.

    During her career, Gretchen had many boyfriends, who often appeared in the media as her husbands, totaling 17 alleged husbands,[22] when in fact there were five.[23] In 2015 the singer was living in Monaco, where she opened a clothing store. Gretchen resided in a duplex with her husband.[24]

    Gretchen was portrayed by Emanuelle Araújo in the 2017 biographical film .

    Discography

    Albums

    YearAlbumRecord companySales Certifications
    1979 My Name is Gretchen[25] Building/Copacabana
    • World: 8,000,000
    • BRA: 5,000,000
    • ARG: 2,000,000
    Platinum
    1981You and MeBuilding/Copacabana
    • BRA: 2,000,000
    Platinum
    1982LonelyBuilding/Copacabana
    • BRA: 2,000,000
    Platinum
    1983Gretchen Building/Copacabana
    • BRA: 1,000,000
    Platinum
    1987Latino Americana Copacabana
    • BRA: 500,000
    Platinum
    1988Gypsy 3M
    • BRA: 500,000
    Platinum
    1991Cheiro & Chamego Musicolor
    • BRA: 200,000
    Gold
    1993Vem Me VerLine Records
    • BRA: 150,000
    Gold
    1995Sexy Charme DanceRGE
    • BRA: 100,000
    Gold
    1996Jesus DanceKoinonia
    • BRA: 30,000
    1997A Nova GretchenKoinonia
    • BRA: 10,000
    2000La PasiónZen Records
    • BRA: 10,000
    2001Me Deixa Louca Polymusic/Sony Music
    • BRA: 25,000
    2009De Conga a Coração: Gretchen canta Dorgival DantasNova Produções/Independente
    • BRA: 5,000

    Singles

    YearAlbumRecord companySales in BrazilCertifications
    1979Dance with MeBuilding/Copacabana500,000Platinum
    1979FeraBuilding/Copacabana100,000Gold
    1979Freak Le Boom BoomBuilding/Copacabana1,000,000Platinum
    19801-2-3 (One-Two-Three)Building/Copacabana50,000
    1981Conga Conga CongaBuilding/Copacabana1,500,000Platinum
    1981Give Me LoveBuilding/Copacabana100,000Gold
    1981My Name Is Gretchen/Quiero ser libreBuilding/Copacabana200,000Gold
    1982Melô do PiripipiBuilding/Copacabana1,500,000Platinum

    Promo albums

    Compilations

    Singles

    Soundtrack

    Guest appearances

    Filmography

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: 1970-01-01. Folha Online - Ilustrada - Gretchen negocia ensaio de nudez ao lado da filha Thammy - 10/08/2006. 2017-07-06. Folha.uol.com.br. 2020-01-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20200129124446/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/ilustrada/ult90u63269.shtml. live.
    2. http://www3.tse.gov.br/sadEleicaoDivulgaCand2008/gerenciarregistrocandidatura/manterCandidato!mostrarRegistroCandidatura.action?codigoUECandidato=24511&sqCandidato=7602 Gretchen Profile
    3. Web site: Gretchen Filme Estrada, bizarro e genial . Mondo Pop . 2013-06-17 . 2017-07-06 . 2017-08-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170801121629/http://www.mondopop.net/2013/06/gretchen-filme-estrada-bizarro-e-genial/ . live .
    4. http://ego.globo.com/Gente/Noticias/0,,MUL352063-9798,00-ENTREVISTA+GRETCHEN+SE+RECUSA+A+PASSAR+TITULO+DE+RAINHA+DO+BUMBUM+ADIANTE.html Entrevista: Gretchen se recusa a passar título de rainha do bumbum adiante
    5. Web site: 2011-07-27. Em pocket show, Gretchen celebra hits e dispara: 'Eu sou a Madonna brasileira'. O Globo. pt-BR. 2019-08-03. 2021-02-24. https://archive.today/20210224220958/https://oglobo.globo.com/cultura/em-pocket-show-gretchen-celebra-hits-dispara-eu-sou-madonna-brasileira-2710372. live.
    6. Web site: Biografia de Gretchen. pt-BR. 2019-08-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20150610231756/http://www.museudatv.com.br/biografias/Gretchen.htm. 2015-06-10. dead.
    7. Web site: Canal Brasil – CineJornal » Documentário sobre Gretchen estreia em setembro nos cinemas » Arquivo. Jan 12, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110112030932/http://colunas.canalbrasil.globo.com/platb/cinejornal/2010/09/21/documentario-sobre-gretchen-estreia-em-setembro-nos-cinemas. Mar 13, 2021. 2011-01-12.
    8. Gretchen Profile
    9. Web site: Mauro Ferreira . Presente no clipe de Perry, Gretchen é ícone pop sem ter hit já há 35 anos | G1 Música Blog do Mauro Ferreira . G1.globo.com . 3 July 2017 . 2017-07-06 . 2018-10-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181019223602/http://g1.globo.com/musica/blog/mauro-ferreira/post/presente-no-clipe-de-perry-gretchen-e-icone-pop-sem-ter-hit-ja-ha-35-anos.html . live .
    10. Web site: Jornal do Brasil - Cultura - Gretchen lança novo CD e diz ser a "Madonna brasileira" . Jb.com.br . 2011-07-27 . 2017-07-06 . 2018-05-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180519003740/http://www.jb.com.br/cultura/noticias/2011/07/27/gretchen-lanca-novo-cd-e-diz-ser-a-madonna-brasileira/ . dead .
    11. http://cinema.terra.com.br/interna/0,,OI1132580-EI1176,00.html Gretchen vai estrelar filme pornô em novembro
    12. http://cineminha.uol.com.br/filme.cfm?id=100590 La Conga Sex (2006)
    13. http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/brasil/ult96u334915.shtml Partidos escalam Gretchen, Ronaldo Esper, Sérgio Mallandro e Viola para puxarem votos
    14. http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Politica/0,,MUL28135-5601,00.html No PPS, Gretchen terá aulas para ser prefeita
    15. http://g1.globo.com/musica/noticia/gretchen-estrela-video-de-swish-swish-de-katy-perry-assista.ghtml Gretchen estrela video de "Swish Swish" de Katy Perry
    16. Web site: Gif Queen Gretchen Stars In Katy Perry's "Swish Swish" Lyric Video idolator . Idolator.com . 2017-07-02 . 2017-07-06 . 2018-10-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181009181427/http://www.idolator.com/7665677/katy-perry-swish-swish-lyric-video-gretchen-preview . live .
    17. News: Gretchen. Rita Cadillac. E um duelo épico em GLOW, da Netflix . . 2017-07-03 . 2017-07-18 . 2017-07-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170708034308/http://www.huffpostbrasil.com/2017/07/03/gretchen-rita-cadillac-e-um-duelo-epico-em-glow-da-netflix_a_23013940/ . dead .
    18. https://veja.abril.com.br/entretenimento/gretchen-chega-ao-the-new-york-times-meme-queen/ Gretchen chega ao 'The New York Times': "meme queen"
    19. https://g1.globo.com/musica/noticia/katy-perry-elogia-gretchen-ela-e-a-internet.ghtml Katy Perry elogia Gretchen "Ela é a internet"
    20. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/gretchen-mn0001406885/biography Gretchen Biography and History
    21. Web site: Gretchen completa 56 anos, pensa em adotar oitavo filho e brinca: 'Queria o meu corpo de 18'. 2018-02-22. 29 May 2015. 2018-01-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20180122130745/https://extra.globo.com/famosos/gretchen-completa-56-anos-pensa-em-adotar-oitavo-filho-brinca-queria-meu-corpo-de-18-16299763.html#ixzz3wbAGFNEF. live.
    22. Web site: Gretchen já teve 16 maridos. 2018-02-22. 2016-01-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20160126165247/http://fotos.noticias.bol.uol.com.br/entretenimento/2012/07/12/conheca-o-ex-maridos-da-dancarina-gretchen.htm#fotoNav=3. live.
    23. Web site: Gretchen esclarece quantos casamentos já teve em biografia. Cora Lima. Ana. August 2014. 2018-02-22. 2018-08-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20180815164408/http://celebridades.uol.com.br/noticias/redacao/2014/08/01/e-uma-chance-de-esclarecer-varias-questoes-diz-gretchen-sobre-biografia.htm. live.
    24. Web site: Gretchen se prepara para morar em Mônaco e conta detalhes de sua vida na Europa. May 6, 2015. R7.com. Mar 13, 2021. June 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210603114628/https://entretenimento.r7.com/famosos-e-tv/fotos/gretchen-se-prepara-para-morar-em-monaco-e-conta-detalhes-de-sua-vida-na-europa-06102019. live.
    25. Web site: Discography . Dicionário Cravo Albin da Música Popular Brasileira . 2018-02-22 . 2017-10-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171027232517/http://dicionariompb.com.br/gretchen/discografia . dead .
    26. Web site: Gretchen é a primeira desmascarada do 'The Masked Singer Brasil'. 23 January 2022. Globo.com. 2022-01-23. pt. 2022-01-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20220123212240/https://gshow.globo.com/realities/the-masked-singer-brasil/2022/noticia/gretchen-e-a-primeira-desmascarada-do-the-masked-singer-brasil.ghtml. live.