IZA

Isabela Cristina Correia de Lima e Lima, popularly known as IZA, is a multifaceted Brazilian artist celebrated for her talents as a singer, songwriter, presenter, and publicist. She made her mark on Brazilian television in 2019 when she served as a judge on the reality show The Voice Brasil and was honored as the drum queen of the renowned samba school Imperatriz Leopoldinense. Her debut album, Dona de Mim, released in 2018, earned her a nomination for a Latin Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Pop Album in Portuguese.

IZA was born and raised in the Olaria neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro to a music and arts educator, Isabel Cristina Lima, and naval officer Djama Leite Lima. Interestingly, her parents are second cousins, which explains her double surname. At the age of six, her family relocated to Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, due to her father's naval duties. During her childhood, she faced racial discrimination as one of the few black students in her school.

Her musical journey began in a church choir, and by 14, she was performing at local events upon returning to Rio de Janeiro. IZA pursued higher education at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), graduating in Advertising and Propaganda in 2012. While working as a video editor, she launched a YouTube channel in 2015, where she showcased her vocal talent by covering songs from various artists, paving the way for her successful career in music.