Zé Neto and Cristiano celebrate tour after a break from depression: ‘Stopping was an act of courage’

It was not easy to go back, but they did it. And they came back well. Zé Neto and Cristiano say that after going through a delicate phase, they now go through a great career moment. After a period away from the stage to take care of mental health, the duo returned to work and already celebrates expressive achievements.

With over 12 million monthly listeners on Spotify they consolidate space as one of the most heard pairs in the country. “It was an act of extreme courage,” says Zé Neto to F5on the decision to pause commitments for just over three months at the height of the popularity. The return took place on December 13, 2024 and since then they have been celebrating not only the numbers, but also how they managed to reorganize personal and professional life.

“The pause was necessary. I was dealing with depression and panic syndrome. I treated myself and we were able to come back even better. Today we prioritize more time with family, friends … We understand how important this is for our spirit,” says the singer. “We love being on stage, and now we are stronger to fulfill this mission.”

The return was also marked by a historic milestone: the pair reached 1 billion views in a single YouTube video. “It was too beautiful, this number only confirmed that we are on the right track,” says Cristiano. “It is the result of teamwork and a true connection with the public.”

In 2025, they opened the intense label, a party that has passed several cities in Brazil and arrives abroad in the coming months. In July, the pair landed in the United States with the project, and in November it will be Portugal’s turn. “It’s creepy to see that people like us around the world,” says Zé Neto. “Sometimes it seems unbelievable.”

The duo also commented on the acoustic album Magic of the Stars, released in celebration of the ten years of success and almost 15 career. “It was the first song we wrote together,” said Zé Neto, explaining that the idea was to revisit the beginning of the trajectory, “when living in music was just a bet.”

Commenting on the future of the countryman, Cristiano states that, like the artists, the public also renews itself and the rhythm remains strong. He highlights the arrival of a new generation, with names such as Ana Castela, and the rewriting movement, which has taken songs from the 1980s and 1990s back to the stage. “Young people are singing these songs at the shows,” he says, adding that nothing comes by chance: “The countryman has a very large connection with the Brazilian.”

Among the dreams yet to come true, it is the will to share the stage with idols of the sertanejo root. “We would like to record something with Chitãozinho & Xororó, Daniel… We already had amazing experiences with Lourenço and Lourival and the hard stop trio was exciting,” recalls Zé Neto.

Finally, they claim that, even with the rush of their career and so many years of the road, the inspiration to compose remains present. “Of course today we have less time to write, but every life experience can become music,” says Cristiano. “That’s how we can get into people’s homes.”