Meet the woman from Rondônia competing for a place in ‘Estrelas da Casa’

Meet the Rondônia native competing for a place in ‘Estrelas da Casa’ Monique Couto, 30 years old, known as Momô, is one of the candidates to join the cast of ‘Estrelas da Casa’, a musical reality show on TV Globo that premieres on August 2nd. Born in Vilhena (RO), the singer spent part of her childhood and youth in Ji-Paraná (RO), where she began her studies and took her first steps in her relationship with art, stages and shows. ?Download the g1 app to see RO news in real time and for free Monique's relationship with music began with childhood influences, but it was during college, around 2017, that her first professional steps began to gain strength. At that time, she started performing in bars in Ji-Paraná alongside two friends, but shortly afterwards she decided to take on solo shows with voice and guitar. In addition to music, she sold homemade truffles on the streets and also gave English classes to children and teenagers. At the time, he was studying Architecture and was looking for different ways to support himself while balancing his studies and taking his first steps in an artistic career. Currently, the artist lives in Natal (RN), studies Popular Singing at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) and works with music, through lives on her social networks. From live to lives The turning point came at the end of 2023, when Monique started doing lives on social media. It was through broadcasts that the singer was able to open a company, buy her house and find a way to have financial stability working with what she loves. "I can make a very good living from something that makes me very happy and makes me feel free. It's a daily contact with teenage Moniquezinha, full of dreams. There [in the lives], I can entertain people, I can sing, I can dance and I can play my instrument, which I'm so passionate about", says Monique. Musically, pop and soul are the musical styles he most likes to perform during his lives. The singer says that she also carries influences from the blues, as well as references from MPB and bossa nova, genres that were part of her musical training at home. The artist also has a strong relationship with the harmonica, an instrument she always takes to her performances. "I always liked it, but I started playing about four years ago. Today I perform like this, singing and playing the harmonica. Last year I had a partnership with a German brand and participated in an event in Germany. And this year I was able to perform in Japan", he said. When looking at her own trajectory, Monique defines herself by her ability to pursue her own goals. "I am very determined in everything I want and do. I go after it, I study, I don't waste time and that's what I have to do for these things to happen", he highlighted. Official Photography Momô (Monique) Estrelas da Casa Estrelas da Casa Participation in ‘Estrelas da Casa’ also represents the realization of a dream that Monique has carried since childhood. "I signed up for the program because, since I was little, I always dreamed of being part of a pop group. I actually lived that dream a lot in Vilhena, my hometown. However, I never had the opportunity to make it come true. And, when I talked about it to people, they didn't take me seriously", he recalls. In this edition, the reality show underwent changes in its dynamics. Unlike the individual format of past seasons, now the participants are divided into two musical groups, pagode and pop, but for the first time, the public also helps decide who enters the house. "Shine with three more girls, us dancing, us singing, us making good music together. That's it, man, it's going to be priceless. It will be the most wonderful thing in my life. So I really, really want this’, he concludes. The singer says that, after being announced on the program, she felt fear and trepidation about the national exposure, but the support of her family and fans, known as “avocados”, helped make the moment calmer. "My community has always given me strength. Sometimes when I had few people on live, sometimes when I didn't have many sponsors on live, it was this small group of people who are there every day with me that gave me the strength to continue. And it is this group that has grown more now that gives me the strength to be on the program", he says. READ ALSO: Candidates from women fall by 33% in Rondônia in 2026; only men compete for government City Council opens public competition with salaries of up to R$ 12 thousand in São Miguel do Guaporé, RO Rondônia on the national stage Taking the name of Rondônia to a national reality show also has a special meaning for Monique. During the years she lived in the state, she missed artists from Rondônia in programs with a large national reach. "It was one of the things I complained about a lot when I lived in Rondônia. I remember when the band Versailles appeared on 'Superstar', I went crazy with joy. Because I think it's really cool that our state is being represented", he explains. Now, the situation is different. It is Monique who will have the opportunity to represent the state in a national production. Although she currently lives in Natal (RN), her connection with Rondônia remains strong, especially with Vilhena and Ji-Paraná, cities where she built part of the dreams that led her to music. "I went to Rondônia recently and just stepping into Vilhena airport brings tears to my eyes. Because it's a place where my dreams were generated. I'm from there. I'm very proud to be from Rondônia, I'm very proud to be part of a program and to be representing this state", he says. For her, her work as an artist also has a role that goes beyond the stage. The singer explains that she feels fulfilled when she realizes that her art can encourage other people to do what they want. But Monique's dreams are far from over. Among the objectives are sharing the stage with John Mayer, doing work with Nando Reis and singing for the Rock in audience.