Having taken voice and dance classes, she participated in musicals in her teens. After participating in the Artistas Reunidos (United Artists) project with Oliveira, Wilson Simoninha, Max de Castro, and Pedro Mariano, Mello launched her first solo CD at 21 in 2001, Assim Que Se Faz, which had success with "Assim Que Se faz" (Daniel Carlomagno), "Simples Desejo" (Oliveira Oliveira/Daniel Carlomagno), "Ela Disse Sim" (Ed Motta/Nelson Motta), "Se" (Djavan), and "Calados" (Jairzinho Oliveira). Mello also had success with "Nascente" (Flávio Venturini/Murilo Antunes), backed by the Roupa Nova. In 2002, she performed with Rodrigues and Oliveira at the Rival theater (Rio). In the same year, she participated in the compilation CD Um Barzinho, Um Violão, interpreting "As Rosas Não Falam" (Cartola). Also contributing to that album were Ed Motta, Toquinho, Leila Pinheiro, Simone, Ivette Sangalo, Biquíni Cavadão, and Kid Abelha, among others. ~ Alvaro Neder