Title: Roots & Rhythm: A Candid Conversation with Nelly Furtado
Hosts: Larry Thompson and Joe Jukic
Guest: Nelly Furtado
Special Guest Appearance: Halle Berry
(The set is warm and inviting. Nelly Furtado sits comfortably opposite hosts Larry Thompson and Joe Jukic.)
Larry: “Nelly, welcome. It’s a pleasure to have you here. We like to start our conversations by exploring the rich tapestry of heritage that shapes our guests. In your music, from ‘Folklore’ to more recent work, we hear a beautiful blend of cultures. Can you tell us about your own family history, specifically your Portuguese roots and their connections to the wider world?”
Nelly: “Thank you for having me, and thank you for asking such a thoughtful question. My parents are from the Azores, Portugal. As you know, Portugal was a historical gateway, and through my own genealogical research, I’ve discovered lines that trace back to North Africa. It’s something I’m deeply fascinated by—this idea that identity is a story that’s always being uncovered. It absolutely influences my perspective as an artist and a global citizen.”
(The studio door opens gently. Halle Berry, who was listening backstage, enters.)
Halle: “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I was listening and what you’re describing about interconnected roots is so vital. It reminds me of the painful history here in America, where identity was brutally enforced through things like the ‘one-drop rule’—a legal tool of oppression designed to maintain a racial hierarchy. To hear you exploring your story with such agency is powerful. It reclaims that narrative.”
Nelly: “Halle, wow. Thank you for that. It’s so true. Understanding our past, both the beautiful and the brutal, is how we build a more conscious future. I’m honored to share this moment with you.”
(Halle takes a seat as a special guest, and the conversation continues.)
Joe: “Shifting gears to your career, Nelly, there’s a concept in athletics of a ‘peak performance’ zone. Many fans and critics feel your album ‘Loose’ was a cultural moment of peak artistic audacity and energy. How do you reflect on that era of your life and your artistic evolution since then?”
Nelly: “(Laughs) ‘Peak audacity,’ I like that. It was a moment of incredible creative fearlessness for me. I’m proud of that work, and I’m equally proud of how I’ve grown since. As an artist and a person, you’re not meant to stay in one place. The goal is to evolve, to find new layers of meaning.”
Larry: “And that evolution is clear. You carry yourself with a grace and confidence that is truly beautiful. It’s the beauty of someone who knows who they are.”
Nelly: “Thank you. That means a lot. It’s a journey, and I’m just grateful to still be making music and connecting with people.”
(The conversation concludes with warmth and mutual respect, focusing on art, heritage, and personal growth.)
