In late 2018, Anitta released the Solo EP—three songs, each in a different language: Portuguese, Spanish, and English. It was a bold move, showcasing her ability to navigate different markets without relying on features. “Goals,” the English track, was a quieter, more introspective moment in the mix. While “Veneno” grabbed most of the attention with its provocative visuals, “Goals” offered something different: a reflective mood and a clean, futuristic video that felt deeply personal. Produced by Pharrell Williams, the song had a different kind of weight.
The roots of “Goals” trace back to a chance meeting in Las Vegas. Anitta has recalled that Pharrell Williams, impressed by her energy, “gifted” her an unreleased demo after they spent time together during a US trip. She described the tune as “a rare gem” that instantly sparked her imagination.
Pharrell went on to co-write and produce the final track. For Anitta, collaborating with a Grammy-winning architect of modern pop was a creative coup and a strategic move that positioned her squarely in the global conversation.
At first listen, the hook—“That’s my goals, goals, goals”—sounds simple, almost chant-like. Dig deeper and the verses deliver a pep-talk of glittering affirmations:“Shine, the rest of the stars are watching / You’re awesome, you’re unique for all time.” Lines about retiring insecurity and embracing uniqueness echo throughout the song, mirroring the confidence Anitta projects in her public life.
Because the entire EP revolves around self-esteem, “Goals” completes a thematic trilogy: “Veneno” flaunts seductive power, “Não Perco Meu Tempo” shows romantic detachment, and “Goals” zooms in on inner validation.
Brazilian outlets noted that the move echoed her prior Checkmate project, yet pushed the concept further by threading an explicit self-love narrative across all tracks.
“Goals” instantly caught the attention of international fans who had been clamoring for more English-language material since “Is That For Me.” It also satisfied domestic listeners eager to see a Brazilian artist break language barriers without sacrificing identity.
Director João Papa—already trusted by Anitta after “Veneno” and “Não Perco Meu Tempo”—helmed the “Goals” shoot. He set out to film Anitta under a real night sky, reflections and all. Technology made that impossible, so the crew replicated the heavens indoors.
- They rented one of Brazil’s biggest sound stages and erected a 49-meter chroma-key wall.
- A shallow “mirror pool” covered the floor so the star-field would appear under Anitta’s feet once visual-effects artists composited the sky.
- The color palette hinges on twilight hues—lilac, deep blue, and soft pink—to mimic a dusk-to-night gradient.
Papa later called it “the most complex job of my life,” praising a technical team that had to light water, glass beads, and fabric without contaminating the chroma key.
Anitta’s longtime stylist André Philipe faced a deceptively tricky brief: find pieces that catch light but do not bounce the chroma colors back into camera. He chose crystal-strewn bodysuits and a sheer, iridescent over-layer that stayed fluid while she danced in shallow water. Hair-and-makeup guru Henrique Martins kept skin luminous and hair sleek to maximize the mirror effect. The result is a visual that glitters without feeling cluttered.
Rather than overload the frame with backup dancers or props, Papa opted for minimalism: slow-moving cranes, silhouette poses, and bursts of improvised movement that line up with the song’s syncopated claps. Light rigs shifted color temperatures in real time, so the stars behind Anitta appear to shimmer as she turns.
Several shots freeze her reflection perfectly underfoot—an optical illusion achieved by wetting the set just enough to create a glassy sheen. That interplay between body, water, and digital sky sells the idea that she’s dancing among constellations.
“Goals” showed that Anitta could carry a full English track without a featured guest, signaling confidence to American and European labels. While the single never stormed global charts the way “Envolver” later would, it became a fan-favorite live staple and a proof-of-concept for her future bilingual and trilingual releases.
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