Brazilian singer Anitta thought she was "going to die" as she battled a mystery illness while making her sixth studio album.

"I was super, super unhealthy," the Bellakeo singer remembered about a terrifying mystery illness that left her hospitalised for five months in 2022.

Speaking during an appearance on the Today show, she shared, "I got really sick and was so physically ill I couldn't work.

"I hadn't stopped working in so many years. It was a big wake-up call that I physically couldn't do many things that I loved doing because of my health. I had to take time to take care of myself."

Anitta, real name Larissa de Macedo Machado, revealed that she made her latest album, Funk Generation, while in hospital.

"I was like, I want an album like this, in case I die I'm going to leave an album that I'm proud of. I just wasted so much time of my life trying to reach goals, and please people and be a success," she shared.

Anitta never received a diagnosis for her debilitating condition, but said she is now fully recovered.

She is currently touring through North America on her Baile Funk Experience Tour.

Earlier this year the favela funk star became the first Brazilian artist in history to reach 35 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Anitta rose to fame in 2013 after releasing her single Show das Poderosas, which reached the top of Brazil's Hot 100 Airplay chart.

LATEST NEWS