Joelma Mendes

Joelma da Silva Mendes, (more commonly known as simply Joelma) was born on June 22, 1974 in Almeirim, Pará. She is a Brazilian singer, composer, stylist, businesswoman, choreographer and dancer. She rose to prominence as the vocalist of Banda Calypso, who she sang with for over 15 years, from 1999 to 2015. Joelma has sold more than 20 million CDs, and 6 million DVDs worldwide, making her a Brazilian record-holder. She won several major musical awards, including 2 Grammys, and is also the only Brazilian to achieve a Quintuple diamond disc.

In 2016, Joelma embarked on a solo career, releasing her first solo album in April under the seal of the Universal Music Group. Album pre-sales numbered approximately 40,000 copies.

1988–1998: Origins

Joelma began singing at the age of 14, when she began performing in the bars of Almeirim, Pará. She became known after attending the city's Fair of Art and Culture. Joelma sang for six years in the band Fazendo Arte, until she decided to record her first solo CD.

At a dinner at the home of Pará singer Kim Marques in 1998, Joelma met Cledivan Almeida Farias, the guitarist and producer better known as Ximbinha. Ximbinha agreed to produce Joelma's solo album under the solo name Joelma Lins.

1999–2015: Banda Calypso

In June 1999, Joelma and Ximbinha began dating and formed the band Banda Calypso. Joelma organised the choreography of Banda Calypso, whilst still participating in the band as a singer. The band produced 21 CDs and 8 DVDs. Fifteen years after the release of the first CD, the band exceeded 15 million records sold. Joelma won numerous awards for her work as lead singer.

2016–present: Solo career

After her separation from Ximbinha in 2015, Joelma announced the end of Banda Calypso. She decided to follow a solo career, saying:

Joelma's press office confirmed the split and declared that she would be known artistically Joelma Calypso. In a show held in Goiânia, on August 28, the singer thanked her fans for their support and restated her departure from Banda Calypso. She said that following a last appointment on December 31, she would begin to "serve God" singing calypso rhythm.

Joelma has released on his solo career his first EP and CD. Joelma also released two more EPs throughout the year, one of remixes of the song Não Teve Amor and another called Assunto Delicado with four unpublished songs that would be part of the repertoire of his first DVD in solo career.

On November 9, Joelma recorded her first DVD in São Paulo, at the concert hall "Coração Sertanejo", with special guest appearances by Ivete Sangalo, Solange Almeida of the band Aviões do Forró, and Mendes's three children.

Universal Music Group

On March 8, 2016, Joelma signed with Universal Music Group, which reportedly gave her more control over her own image and promotion.

In 2003, Joelma married the musician Cledivan Almeida Farias, known as Ximbinha after they had been together for five years. On October 26, 2009, Joelma and Ximbinha received the award of Citizen Pernambucano. The award was proposed by Deputy Nelson Pereira (PCdoB), who stated that "For several years as residents in Recife, via various projects related to music, Joelma and Ximbinha have contributed to the rich culture of Pernambuco". The 2nd Vice President of the Management Board, Deputy Antonio Moraes (PSDB), coordinated the ceremony and highlighted the importance of their music for the area.

On August 19, 2015, after 18 years of marriage, Joelma and Ximbinha announced their separation. On November 9, 2015 they signed the divorce.

Joelma has three children: Yago Matos Mendes da Silva (son of the lawyer and Alderman of the Camera Breves Robson Cristiano Leão Matos, born on December 8, 1995), Natália da Silva Mendes Sarraffi (daughter of Roberto Luís Sarraffi, Born on December 25, 1989), and Yasmin Mendes Farias (daughter of Ximbinha, born July 11, 2004). In February 2009 suffered a miscarriage.

Polemic

In 2013 the magazine Época published an article in which Joelma compared homosexuality with drug addiction. In the interview the singer had reportedly declared that if she had a gay son, she would "fight to the death" to make sure he became heterosexual again, and also compared homosexuality to the state of addiction. Banda Calypso's film project That's Calypso was reportedly canceled due to the strong backlash against her statements. Several celebrities spoke out against her comments, including Adriane Galisteu, and the actress Betty Faria, who posted: "The world is on the brink of a nuclear war [... and you're] worrying about healing gay [people]. Heal your souls." Days later, the band denied the film's release had been canceled, and distanced themselves from Joelma's statements:

At no time the singer has compared homosexuality to drug addiction. What was reported were statements made to her friends and fans about the difficulty they feel, when they wish, to change their sexual orientation and that they, themselves, compared such difficulty [to] the difficulty of [being] chemically dependent. While [the] religion followed by Joelma [does] not support same-sex marriage, the singer respects and accepts the sexuality of all people, fans and friends, having no prejudice [against] religion, sex and color.

Studio album

Live album

Singles

• 2015: "Voando Pro Pará"
• 2016: "Ai Coração"
• 2016: "Não Teve Amor"
• 2016: "Debaixo do Mesmo Céu"
• 2016: "Pa'Lante"
• 2017: "Amor Novo"
• 2017: "Chora Não Coração"