In Brazil’s Carnival, one of the most disputed unofficial titles is to know who was the ultimate Carnival Muse was for a given year. Brazil media, press, general public, and publicity agency decide who were the most beautiful drum queens or muses parading in Rio’s Sambadrome. There is no official title for this informal contest, but national and international media always try to find THE ultimate carnival Muse for a given carnival. But why does this vibrant contest even exists?

Muses and drum queen have lots to profit in the advertising business, if they are selected as the top Brazilian beauty during carnival. Carnival muses in Brazil are extremely well paid by the publicity market. Beer ads, real estate, cosmetics and fashion-wear, are a few segments that constantly rely on Brazilian beauties to support their brands. Actresses and models then legitimately see carnival as an opportunity to cash in the investment they have made along their carrier.

On the other hand, muse aspirants or wannabes project an image of success during these days that can actually be used all year long. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that! A famous quote by “The girl of Ipanema” songwriter states Vinicius de Moraes says: "The ugly will pardon me, but beauty is fundamental,". Nothing new since “Beauty is truth, truth is beauty” from Keats “Ode on a Grecian Urn”.




Many of the Carnival Muse contenders also see a chance to play important roles on TV soap operas, TV shows and even movies. Some of them, in the other hand, seek more visual approaches, aiming cover of men’s magazine. Nothing wrong with that too! Beauty has its place when appropriately depicted.

In 2008, Brazilian Carnival saw a multitude of muses, disputing this informal title. Below I listed a few muses that could be a contestant in this tight contest:

• Grazi Massafera, model and TV actress
• Tatiana Pagung - actress
• Fabia Borges - Dancer & Performer
• Juliana Paes – TV , Theater and Movie Actress
• Juliana Portela



Whatever is the chosen muse, (I leave you to make the final call), a point aggressively debated in many forums and blogs is why these beauties sometimes represent or misrepresent the Brazilian Carnival. I guess beauty speaks for itself, but Brazilian carnival is obviously much more than this. (In the collective unconscious abroad, Brazilian carnival is linked to nudity). Brazilian women are indeed magically esthetically gifted, and I personally think there is nothing wrong with that. Beauty has been worshiped since the Greeks, Romans, and even before, when our ancestors walked the African plains.

In essence, beauty is much more complex than dichotomous debates with simplistic approaches.


Belavista Brazil Carnival is a non-commercial blog devoted to wonders of Rio de Janeiro, with a focus to the Brazilian Carnival. Our sole objective is to describe how Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is magically created, its artists, dancers and musicians that make up the world’s largest show. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns