Michael Biggs | |
---|---|
Birth name | Michael Fernand Nascimento de Castro Biggs |
Born | 16 August 1974 |
Origin | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
Genres | Children's music, Pop, pop rock |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, actor, TV host |
Instrument(s) | Vocal |
Years active | 1982–present |
Labels | CBS Records Sony Music JT Records |
Michael Fernand Nascimento de Castro Biggs, known professionally as Mike Biggs (August 16, 1974), is a Brazilian singer most known as a member of children's music group Turma do Balão Mágico.[1]
Biggs was born on 16 August 1974 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to 45-year old Ronnie Biggs, a British fugitive criminal who had fled the UK in 1970,[2][3] and his girlfriend, 19-year old Raimunda Rothen de Castro, a Brazilian stripper.[4] He lived in Santa Teresa,[5] an upper-middle-class neighborhood in Zona Central, Rio de Janeiro.
Biggs' music career began in 1982, when his father was kidnapped by British ex-soldiers hoping to collect a reward from the British police. Biggs made a plea on national television for the safe return of his father.[6] Publicity from the television appearance led to him being offered a role in children's musical group Turma do Balão Mágico. From 1983 to 1986 he starred on the Rede Globo television show Balão Mágico which featured the band.[7][8][9][10]
After the group disbanded in 1986, Biggs abandoned show business[11] and worked as a construction worker.[12] In 2018, Biggs joined former bandmates Simony and Tob for a reunion tour of Brazil commemorating of the group's 35th anniversary.[13]
Since March 2021, Biggs has presented the musical TV show Papo Musical on cable television channel Arte1 .[14][15]
In 2023, he appeared in a Star+ documentary about the band.[16][17][18]
In 2001, Biggs moved to the United Kingdom with his father, who turned himself in to the police after spending the last thirty years as a fugitive in Brazil. In 2002, Michael received British citizenship after his parents married in a prison ceremony.[19]