Ana Castela, a 19yearold singer from Mato Grosso do Sul, became Brazil’s most listenedto artist on YouTube by singing her single to the sound of country music mixed with pop, funk, rap and electronica. Gustavo Mioto, a 26yearold singer from São Paulo, is the owner of romantic country songs such as “Solteiro não trai”, “Antiamor”, “Como era a luz” and “Eu Gosto assim”.
They have been the most famous country couple since June. But will their relationship affect their next releases? How much does private life influence the writing of texts and the selection of repertoire?
“Of course, when we start dating, we start to feel different emotions and that comes out in the songs,” Ana Castela explains to g1. “The songs are really becoming more passionate. And when we get sad, the repertoire gets sadder.”
“We embody the character like an actor embodies it in a film,” concludes Mioto g1. He adds that he would release a song like “Solteiro não trai” without any problems even if he were together.
2 of 3 Ana Castela and Gustavio Mioto during a duet at the Festa do Peão de Americana — Photo: Júlio César Costa/ g1 Ana Castela and Gustavio Mioto during a duet at the Festa do Peão de Americana — Photo: Júlio César Costa/ g1
But as we know, there are not only easy moments in love relationships. A mishap between the couple led to one of the most played songs in Brazil today, “Solteiro Forçado,” sung by Ana and with her to the composers.
“It’s a song I wrote because I was forced to be single at a time when I didn’t talk to Gu. So it was a way to let go of our feelings. This way they can identify other people.” They realize that it is a real feeling.
There are people who still do not know how to distinguish between the lyrical self and the artist’s personal life. It’s not so easy to separate the character on stage and in the studio from what the person does in their life. How do I deal with it?
“It’s tough. You can sing dirty and not live like that,” compares Ana, who only has one song with a more sensual feeling (“Roça Em Mim”, with Luan Pereira and Zé Felipe).
“Now I’m starting to release some songs that suffer more, but I’m not suffering. That’s simply because it’s a style of music that I want to sing. We take a real feeling and exaggerate it when we write the lyrics.”
3 of 3 Ana Castela performs at Farraial, a festival in São Paulo in 2023 Photo: Divulgação/Rafael Strabelli Ana Castela performs at Farraial, a festival in São Paulo in 2023 Photo: Divulgação/Rafael Strabelli
In the dressing room at the Festa do Peão de Barretos, Ana spoke of Gustavo’s “real help.” According to her, the couple exchanges tips on shows, voice and repertoire. “Since he is old, I helped him to give him a more modern touch, I taught him to dance, but it didn’t work.”
In a way, their schedule was also adjusted, not only so they could be together, but also so they could get a little more rest.
Ana says she did “much more than 20 shows” per month during the June festival period (June and July). From August onwards, she guarantees a slowdown with “an average of 18 shows this month”. “We slowed down because we got tired, right? In the end he no longer stays at home and no longer sees his family. That’s why I asked to give myself a little break to have time to do these things and take care of myself.”
Gustavo was also relieved. “I don’t want to fill my schedule. “It’s a conversation I have with my father, who is my manager,” he explains. “I want to enjoy my family, enjoy my old age, enjoy my girlfriend.” I want to enjoy my friends and go back to Votuporanga. If I can, I want to travel, right? “Knowing the things we can know,” he adds, referring to the city where he was born and raised, inland from São Paulo.
Watch Ana Castela’s interview on g1:
G1 Heard the interview with Ana Castela