Written by:
Frances Stevens
(Note: Sadly, Casia Eller died in 2001. We ran this story in the magazine before her death.)
Unlike most of the leading Brazilian women musicians who are rumored to be lesbian, only a select few, including Eller, the most famous of all, dare to be out.
Last year Eller, a riveting balladist, opened for the Rolling Stones in Rio. This Brazilian recording artist has two gold albums to her name. Some say that she is the Brazilian hope of a crossover into the American market. Others call her the South American Melissa Etheridge.
Eller admits that she barely knows who Melissa Etheridge is. "I've seen her on MTV a few times but I don't really know her." On the surface, the similarities between Eller and Etheridge are easily apparent. The two share a similar vocal range and musical style. Eller has a long-term partner of 11 years, Eugenia, and a son, Francisco.
Like Etheridge, Eller says she lives for live performance. Now on tour, she balances her life as a mom and partner, by traveling often with her family in tow. "Sometimes I take my son [on tour] for a few days if he's on vacation. Other times, I'll take my wife, son and even a babysitter on the road," she explains.
Eller came out before Francisco was born so that he could grow up without hearing rumors about his mother's sexual preference. Today, at age six, he calls both Eller and Eugenia Mom.
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