Rouge (group)

Rouge was a Brazilian pop girl group formed in 2002, through the SBT and Disney Channel talent show Popstars produced by RGB. The group comprised singers Aline Wirley, Fantine Thó, Karin Hils, Li Martins (then known as Patrícia Lissah) and Lu Andrade.

The group's debut studio album, the best-selling self-titled Rouge (2002), sold more than 2 million copies in Brazil.^[1] The success of the album was boosted by the songs "Não Dá pra Resistir", "Beijo Molhado" and, mainly, "Ragatanga", which helped to establish the group on a national platform. Their follow-up album, C'est La Vie (2003) produced the singles "Brilha La Luna" and "Um Anjo Veio Me Falar", sold over 900,000 copies.^[2] After the departure of Andrade, the four remaining members continued and released the albums Blá Blá Blá (2004) and Mil e Uma Noites (2005), both contains singles as "Blá Blá Blá", "Sem Você" and "Vem Habib (Wala Wala)". The group disbanded in June 2006, when the contract with Sony Music was not renewed.

Measures of their success include, have sold 6 million records sales,^[3] becoming the most successful pop girl group in Brazil and Latin America, Under the guidance of their mentor and entrepreneur, music producer Rick Bonadio, they embarked on sold-out tours throughout Brazil and several countries in Latin America, Europe and Africa. They were also stars of commercials and television programs, as well as the faces of various licensed products such as sticker albums, sandals and dolls.

The original recording line-up, as a five-piece, announced their reunion in 2017,^[4] to celebrate a fifteen-year birthday, embarked on a tour of sold-out shows all over Brazil, the 15 Anos Tour.^[5] In followed, he released songs "Bailando", "Dona da Minha Vida" and "Solo Tu". On February 1, 2019 the fifth studio album, Les 5inq, was released. On January 24, 2019, a new hiatus was announced for an indefinite time. Since then, they have reunited for a concert in 2022, to celebrate 20-year career.^[6]

The origins of the group lie in the talent show Popstars, produced by RGB and broadcast in Brazil by SBT and Disney Channel from April 27 to September 7, 2002. The aim of the show was to form a pop girl group in Brazil and auditions were held country-wide. Over 20 episodes, candidates were whittled down by a panel of five judges.^[7][8][9] After five qualifying rounds, eight girls were selected for the final stage that and the judges selected Aline Wirley, Fantine Thó, Karin Hils, Li Martins (at the time known as Patrícia Lissa) and Luciana Andrade. The name chosen for the group was Rouge "because it has five letters and also because in French it means red, a color associated with sensuality [...] and it's pop!".^[10]

The band released their debut album, Rouge, in August 19, 2002, produced by Rick Bonadio.^[10] The record bet heavily on the band and distributed around 150,000 copies of the album in the stores already in first consignment.^[7] On the same day, lead single "Não Dá para Resistir" was released, becoming a hit on the singles charts in Brazil and Argentina.^[11][12][13] Riding a wave of publicity and hype, the group's second single "Ragatanga", featured by Las Ketchup, instantly entered the top position on the Brazilian charts.^[14] The song accumulated 11 weeks at number one in Brazil.^[15] After five months, the album had sold 1 million copies and was eventually certified double platinum by the Pro-Música Brasil (PMB).^[16][17] Rouge sold over 2 million copies and was the second biggest-selling Brazilian album of 2002.^[1][18] The remix album titled Rouge Remixes was released alongside the video album O Sonho de Ser Uma Popstar.^[16]

On May 4, 2003, the Rouge released their second album, C'est La Vie. The album blends ballads and dance-pop with soft elements of zouk.^[19] According to the members of the group, the debut album was already ready for the band that won the show, already on the second album, they contributing to the songwriting. The example is the song "Um Anjo Veio Me Falar", written by the five members.^[20] The album first-week sales of 100,000 units and peaking inside the top three in Brazilian charts.^[21][22] Additionally, it was certified Platinum by PMB and finishing seventeen on the national year-end chart in 2003.^[23] In total, sold over 900,000 copies.^[2] The album spawned three singles, including the band's third non-consecutive number-one "Brilha La Luna", while its second single "Um Anjo Veio Me Falar" also achieving commercial success.^[24][25] They also made her theatrical film debut, in Xuxa Abracadabra, released on December 19, where they appear performing in a nightclub at a certain point in the plot.^[26] In celebration of the first year of the group's existence, a concert was held on September 21 for 23,000 spectators at the Pacaembu Stadium, in São Paulo.^[27] The recording became second Rouge's video album, A Festa dos Seus Sonhos, released on December 22.^[28]

On February 11, 2004, Andrade announced her departure from the Rouge through press conference.^[29] The singer first cited that she was suffering from exhaustion and disillusionment.^[29] Rumours of a power struggle with Thó circulated in the press.^[30] She revealed, in an interview years later, that her departure was due to mobbing committed by manager and low pay.^[31] The other members said that her departure had a positive effect because this made them reevaluate their careers.^[32][29] Rouge announced that they would return to the studios after the end of Carnival in 2004, where they would slow down activities to focus on producing their third studio album.^[33] On May 26, 2004, the group released Blá Blá Blá, which contains a more mature side of pop music.^[34] From the album, four singles were taken: the title track and "Sem Você" reached the top five on the Brazilian Charts.^[35] With a total of about 150,000 copies sold however, it failed to achieve the success of its two best-selling predecessors, still going gold.^[36] To promote the album, the group embarked on the Tour Blá Blá Blá (2004-2005), which brought rearrangements of old songs, in addition to the performance of new ones, with a new group of instrumentalists, and the addition of four dancers participating in choreographies with the girls.^[37]

On June 26, 2005, the group's fourth studio album and first greatest hits was released, Mil e Uma Noites. The album contains six new tracks and eight from the band's previous catalog.^[38][39] The Arabic pop-influenced leading single "Vem Habib (Wala Wala)" reached the top five of the charts.^[40] At the end of 2005, the press reported that the group would split up the following year, due to the end of their contract with Sony.^[41] In August 2006, this actually happened and they announced the went their separate ways, concentrating on their individual solo careers.^[42]

In late 2012, rumours about a return restarted on social networks, specially Twitter, as Bonadio posted the hashtag #VoltaRouge (en: Come Back Rouge). Some meetings of the girls were noticed and published through the web. Officially, a return of the band was confirmed by Bonadio and the girls itself, although Andrade refused to join the band members, saying that she needed to be truthful with herself and her decision.^[43] Shes also said: "They are Rouge, the girls that stayed. They are the soul of the group, so they are the ones who must come back".^[44] A tour commemorating 10 years of creation of the group was confirmed for 2013, in Brazil. Along with it, a new Realitty Show for Multishow, Fabrica de Estrelas broadcast was announced for Bonadio to select girls for a new girlgroup. Rouge will have some appearances on the show showing the process of composition, recording and release of two new singles. The new single, "Tudo É Rouge" (en: It's All Rouge) was confirmed for releasing April 2013, along with the start of the new reality show.^[45] Fantine shares that she went scouting for songs knowing Rouge would soon be recording, Luke Christopher, songwriter and rapper who works alongside Common, sent them "No Feeling", "love at first sight" said Fantine. Karin and Fantine wrote the Portuguese version of the original song and released "Tudo Outra Vez" (en: All again).^[46]

Despite all efforts, though, bureaucracy got in their way as they were not the legal owners of the name and brand Rouge, this being owned by their previous recording label. Bonadio and the girls decided on quitting the plans for a return as well as the release of single "Tudo É Rouge", and an apologizing letter for the fans was released through social media.^[47]

In August 2017 the 15th anniversary of the Rouge was intensely celebrated by the fans and all the former members. On September 13 was announced the return of the group with the original line-up. On 14 day, tickets were put up for sale and sold out in a minute. But as there were problems with some purchases, it was still possible to get some tickets. After three hours, the organization of the event announced that the five thousand tickets had been exhausted and an extra show was scheduled for the following day.^[48][49][50] A new extra show was scheduled for December 2, and was sold out the same day.^[5][51][52] In October 2017, it was confirmed that Rouge had returned definitively.^[53][54]

The group's comeback first single, "Bailando" was released January 2018.^[55] In late 2018 the girls officially announced their reunion tour Rouge 15 Anos. It began on January 27, 2018, in Fortaleza, Ceará and concluded on August 11, in Recife, Pernambuco.^[56][57] On August 21, the group announced their second single after the comeback "Dona da Minha Vida".^{[58][59][60][61][62]} The track was officially released on August 31.^[63][64] On January 24, 2019, the group announced through its official pages that they would enter into an indefinite break and on February 1 the fifth album Les Les 5inq was released and on the 4th, the Rouge Sessions - De Portas Abertas.^{[65][66][67][68][69][70]}

Even before the Rouge group became a success, there was already a planning by its producers to launch several products using the name of the members of the group, and the brand Rouge itself.^[71] Initially, the group starred commercials of Marisa's women's store network, campaigning for Mother's Day and Christmas, and even with autographed stickers of the members being distributed through Marisa stores throughout the country. Baby Brink dolls were also produced for the five members of the group, which were distributed as of September 9, 2003.^[72] The group also closed with a contract with Arcor, a company that produced chewing gum, confectionery and Easter eggs, all with the image of the girls. More than seven types of products were produced to promote the Rouge group.^[73]

In 2003, Editora Abril launched the illustrated Rouge book, with 180 figurines for fans of the group to collect^[74] and the following year, Kromo Publishing launched a picture book composed of 72 photos of Rouge girls for fans to collect and paste in the picture book.^[75] The quality of the chromos was well connoted by the collectors of figurine albums. The group also launched the "Sandália Rouge" by Grendene, shortly after becoming a media success, the following year they launched a new sandal, which came with a pendant. The last launch with Grendene, was the Tamanco Rouge, a great sales success.^[76] There has also been a brand of school products launched at the height of the group, however, due to the fact that it is a rarity, it is difficult to know which company was responsible for this release.

In 2011, Tilibra launched a line of notebooks inspired by the group, with a different color for each notebook.^[77]

During their career, Rouge became one of Brazil's record-breaking acts, with more than 6 million albums sold,^[3] being the best-selling girl group in Brazil and Latin America.^[78] One of the group's albums also appears in the list of the best selling albums in the history of the Brazilian music industry – the debut album of the group, certificated double platinum.^[16] Described as the "Brazilian Spice Girls",^[79] some vehicles credited the group for being part of Brazilian pop;^[80] Some critics called them "laboratory rats"^[78] and "pop cinderellas."^[17]

Eduardo Coelho of ‘’Fatos Desconhecidos’’ website revered the reality show Popstars for revealing the group, writing that "even with the pros and cons of the format, something that is undeniable with regards to reality shows on national soil is that they at least created, shaped and produced a true phenomenon called: Rouge, in the year 2002".^[81] The writer also praised the group's most successful song "Ragatanga", claiming it impossible to forget and saying its choreography is epic.^[78] Cristiano Freitas, from the website A Escotilha, defined the contribution of the group to Brazilian pop as a "major phenomenon of the genre ever revealed in Brazil."^[82] Diário do Nordeste credited the group for giving “face to pure Brazilian pop music, bringing the “girl band” concept to Brazil, popularized especially by the Spice Girls.^[83] Journalist Diego Bargas from the site Folha compared Rouge even further to the Spice Girls, stating that both have many similarities. Like Rouge, the British quintet experienced the meteoric success still young; at their career momentum, they both suffered the departure of a member. Both groups had little time in total activity, but they have kept many fans.”^[84]

Several artists cited Rouge as an influence in some aspect in their careers; among them are the Brazilian singers Anitta,^[85][86] Pabllo Vittar,^[87] Gloria Groove,^[19] the girl group Girls,^[88] and the actors Maisa Silva,^[89] Tiago Abravanel,^[90] and Fernanda Souza.^[91]

• Rouge (2002)
• C'est La Vie (2003)
• Blá Blá Blá (2004)
• Mil e Uma Noites (2005)
• Les 5inq (2019)

Headlining

• Popstar Tour (2002—03)
• C'est La Vie Tour (2003—04)
• Blá Blá Blá Tour (2004)
• Mil e Uma Noites Tour (2005)
• 15 Anos Tour (2018)

Co-headlining

• Planeta Pop: Rouge & Br'oz Tour (2004)

Promotional tours

• Chá Rouge Tour (2017–22)

• List of best-selling girl groups
• List of girl groups

• Rouge Website Archived 2017-11-08 at the Wayback Machine