At 18 years old, singer Marília Tavares , originally from a small town in the interior of Roraima, is establishing herself as one of the great promises of sertanejo music. Between tours, millions of views on streaming platforms, and collaborations with renowned artists, she maintains a strong connection to her roots and the essence of the girl who began singing in folk festivals. In an exclusive interview, Marília talks about the family support that shaped her journey, the artistic maturity reflected in works like “Essência, Maturidade” and “Histórias Sinceras,” and reveals what still motivates her to continue captivating audiences with her voice and authenticity.
Marília, you came from a small town in the interior of Roraima and today you are one of the great promises of sertanejo music. What are you most proud of when you look at this trajectory — and what do you still feel you carry with you from the girl at the Folklore Festival?
What I’m most proud of in this journey is seeing my municipality, my state, and everyone around me embracing and supporting me. That’s very rewarding. I think what I carry with me from that girl at the folklore festival is strength—the strength to fight for what you want, to get on stage and give your best. I carry that strength with me to this day.
Your story is full of family support — from a mother and an uncle who believed in you from the beginning. How did your family’s love shape not only the artist you are, but also the person you are today?
Wow, it shaped me so much—both the artist and the person, Marília Araújo, as I call her, right? Because Marília Tavares is the artist. It shaped me a lot because we created a very strong bond. We’re always together, supporting each other, cheering each other on and fighting for each other. So, that greatly shaped who I am.
You started very young in television and today you’re already recording DVDs and EPs directed by big names. What was it like to experience this transition—from a dreamy teenager to a woman who now manages her own repertoire and artistic direction?
Yes, I started very young, and I’m still going through this transition. I think it hasn’t sunk in yet. I have inside me the dreamy teenager and, at the same time, the woman who takes charge of her own repertoire and artistic direction. So, I don’t even know how to define this transition, because, for me, it still hasn’t sunk in—I carry both within me.
The EP “Essência” and the DVD “Maturidade” showcase different, yet equally sincere, phases of her life. What does the audience find most genuine about Marília in these projects?
The EP “Essência” and the DVD “Maturidade” show completely different phases, literally. What the public finds most genuine in Marília in these projects is the feeling—the interpretation that conveys emotion as if I had lived those stories. Thank God, I never lived many of them, nor do I intend to, but what is most genuine is the feeling sung.
In your new work, “Sincere Stories,” you talk about love, pain, and overcoming adversity. Did any of these songs originate from a personal experience, or are they a way of translating stories you observe around you?
In “Sincere Stories,” there are no personal experiences, thank God (laughs). But there are experiences from other people—people who have gone through pain, overcoming it, and today live in love. These are stories that I observe and that other composers also observe, and that’s where the songs are born.
You’ve shared the microphone with great artists like Pablo, Solange Almeida, and Zé Vaqueiro. What have you learned from these collaborations—and who do you still dream of recording with?
Yes, I’ve shared the microphone with amazing artists and learned so much—both personally and professionally. They taught me so much! And I still have many collaboration dreams. I’d love to record with Maiara & Maraisa, Jorge & Mateus, Henrique & Juliano… There are so many! If I were to list them all, I’d spend a thousand years listing them (laughs).
You have millions of followers and impressive numbers across platforms. How do you manage such a large reach—and still maintain a close and genuine relationship with your fans?
Look, I have a lot of help dealing with all this reach. And my fans… ah, I don’t even need to try to maintain a close relationship, because they’re just like me. They understand me, they know me—they know when I disappear, when I reappear, when I’m talkative and when I’m quieter. They’re already used to me!
At 18, you’ve already achieved what many people take decades to accomplish. What still motivates you to keep growing—and what message do you want to leave for other young women who dream of making a living from music?
What motivates me and gives me the strength to keep growing is going on stage and seeing a crowd singing my music. It’s unbelievable! You never imagine you’ll do what you love, release it into the world, and be embraced so warmly. That motivates me so much.
And the message I leave for all young people who dream of making a living from music is: if you have a dream, don’t give up on it. Persist, believe, listen to constructive criticism, and never listen to those who only arrived halfway and don’t know what you’ve been through. Always persevere. Don’t give up on your dreams. It may take a little while, but one day it will come true.
Follow Marília Tavares on Instagram