Portuguese superstar Carminho, featured in “Poor Things” film, releases “O quarto,” the song she performs during a scene with Emma Stone

Portuguese singer and songwriter Carminho has released “O quarto (fado Menor),” which is the full version of the excerpt that she performs in the new film Poor Things, which features Emma Stone and is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.

Poor Things received seven nominations just this week for the next edition of the Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture (musical or comedy) and Original Score, with nods to the film stars Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Ruffalo.

The scene depicts Carminho singing fado and playing the Portuguese guitar to a mesmerized Bella Baxter, Emma Stone’s character in the film. At the recent New York Premiere of “Poor Things,” which took place on December 6th, Carminho and Stone surprised the director, cast, and celebrity guests at the after-party for the event with a reenactment of the scene.

Emma Stone and Carminho at New Premiere for “Poor Things”
Carminho sang in the traditional Portuguese style of fado with no microphones or amplification while accompanying herself on the Portuguese guitar, moving the actress to tears and receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience, which included Taylor Swift.

“When I received the invitation to sing in the film, I could never have imagined this incredible experience in this wonderful and impressive work of art,” said Carminho. “What a pride to take fado and the Portuguese language to such a special place, sharing these moments with a unique director and a fabulous team.”

The full version of “O quarto,” which translates to “The Room” in English, was released on all digital platforms in late December. It is accompanied by a beautiful black and white music video, available on YouTube, with Carminho singing and playing the guitar while haunted by the ghost of herself.

“This participation was born from an invitation that Yorgos made me to make an appearance singing fado. We chose the song together, which has lyrics written by me for a traditional composition, and which dialogues with the atemporal aspect of the film,” explained the artist.

Carminho’s most recent Latin Grammy-nominated album, Portuguesa, was released in August 2023 in the United States by Nonesuch/Warner Records, around the same time that she performed one of her own compositions for the Pope in Lisbon. She was also a guest on the most recent tours by Coldplay and Caetano Veloso in Portugal. The North American release was followed by an extensive tour of the United States and Canada in October.

For more information about Carminho, visit CarminhoMusic.com and follow on Instagram at @carminho.

Photos courtesy of management