Maria Odete Brito de Miranda, known professionally as Gretchen, was born in 1959 in Brazil and became a foundational figure in Brazilian pop and disco music. She began her career as a backing vocalist before making her television debut in 1978 and recording the single “Dance With Me." Her commercial peak was defined by a trilogy of successful albums released between 1979 and 1982: a self-titled debut, You and Me, and Lonely. These records produced hits including “Freak Le Boom Boom," “Melo do Piripipi," and “Conga Conga Conga." Gretchen also appeared in the lyric video for Katy Perry's 2017 track “Swish Swish."