Singer and former model Karina Zeviani has died aged 51 after a two-year battle with breast cancer, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow musicians. The Brazilian star died in hospital on Thursday night, with the disease having spread to her liver and bones.
Career highlights and The Voice appearance
Karina became known to a wider audience in 2020 when she appeared on the Brazilian version of The Voice, impressing the judges during the show's blind auditions. However, her career in music had taken her around the world long before her television appearance.
In 2005, she joined American electronic music collective Thievery Corporation after being recommended to the group by Talking Heads frontman David Byrne. She later became one of the vocalists for French band Nouvelle Vague in 2008. Her career also took her to London, New York, Paris and Germany, while she performed at the renowned Nublu club in Manhattan.
Health battle and tributes
After returning to Brazil, Karina released her only solo album, Amor Inventado, in 2012. She had also worked as a model but eventually decided to leave the industry after becoming frustrated with its strict expectations around beauty.
Childhood friend Rodrigo Villela remembered her as "a person full of sparkle", describing someone who had always stood out. Karina had been open with her followers about her cancer diagnosis and treatment, sharing updates on social media throughout her illness.
In her final post on September 20, she revealed she was preparing to start intravenous chemotherapy and admitted she was upset at the thought of losing her hair again. Her post prompted messages of support from fans, with one writing: "You're going to be great and beautiful as always."
Final farewell
Karina's funeral took place in her hometown of Jaboticabal on Friday. Tributes also came from Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, members of Thievery Corporation, who remembered their former collaborator with affection. They said: "She was a beautiful, talented and truly lovely soul, with an aura and vibrance that were impossible to forget."
