Rio-de-Janeiro - Now its Official: The Goddess of Carnival Gracyanne Barbosa lost her post as Carnival Drum Queen for traditional Mangueira Samba School, to model and samba dancer Renata Santos, former Queen of Drums for Academicos de Santa Cruz. After a successful 10 year partnership with the Samba-School from the west part of Rio-de-Janeiro, the model will lend her grace, charm and personality now to Cartola´s green-and-pink legendary samba-school.



The previous star of Mangueira, Gracyanne Barbosa, remained as the Carnival Queen of Drum for two years and still has not announced her new plans. For Renata Santos, this movement can definitely be considered as an up-grade, since Academicos de Santa Cruz is not a member of the elite Group in Rio-de-Janeiro.



During an interview for “O DIA” newspaper, she stated: “'I know Ivo Meirelles (Mangueira´s President ) for long a time. When he decided to make a complete turn-around at the samba-school, he also decided to invite me to become the Queen of Drums. I had never thought this could happen in my life, but I'm ready. I went through a “Masters degree of 10 years” at Santa Cruz Samba-School and now it my time to join the Special Group. I am very happy”, said the Brazilian Carnival beauty




The official announcement was made in closed feijoada that occurred at the Samba-School’s court, were new board of directors from Mangueira were presented. According to carnival backstage insiders, Gracyanne is already being approached by other traditional samba-schools in Rio-de-Janeiro. If you want to know how these true Goddess of Brazilian Carnival are selected for the Queen of Drum post, read an exclusive article we wrote explaining this process.

Jaque Khury, the 24 year old model and beauty muse from Acadêmicos de Tatuapé Samba School is extra-ready for the Carnival marathon in São Paulo. The muse is recovering from the fevers and body pains she had last week, February 7th and 8th. Jaque Khury will parade for the first time in her life as a Drum Queen for the Academicos do Tatuapé, samba school established on neighborhood she was born. The Samba School Academicos do Tatuapé is part of the Access Group in São Paulo, and will parade in the Anhembi Sambadrome Sunday, February 22nd.

Below, Jaque K in special photo shot with a luxury carnival costume:



Jaque Khury stated she had to pause a little bit with the samba rehearsals and work out, due to excessive work: “I was working out with too much weight on, and had several activities on that day. I was pumping iron and then practicing the samba dance routines too much. I was feeling bad”, she said during an interview. Model Jaque Khury states now is fully recovered and realized the incident was indeed a consequence of her loaded schedule.

Below, a photo of Jacqueline Khury at Samba Reheasal at Gavioes da Fiel in São Paulo:





This year has been a super year for Jaque Khury She has been participating in several TV shows, interviews, and requested for several photo shoots, including Paparazzo, Ego, and VIP. Jaqque was also recently cover-girl for the prestigious Tattoo Brazil Magazine. Jaque Khury had a full 7 page article coverage about her tattoo history. The result was also a beautiful photo shoot of her tattoos, including her flying dragon on her back. See photo below of Jaqueline´s Tattoo:





Jaqueline was will also parade for the traditional Gavioes da Fiel Samba School in São Paulo. At Gavioes though, Jaque will parade as a high-light, which is a prestigious post too and involves accountability. The Brazilian model was seen in several technical rehearsals, including one with Sabrina Sato, another muse from Gavioes da Fiel, which proves her commitment with the samba schools she represent. The former Big Brother Brazil contestant also said she was very anxious with her new post as Drum Queen for Acadêmicos do Tatuapé Samba School. Jaque Khury tells in an interview the post is a great honor, but it brings much responsibility. She concludes by saying she knows her carnival costume will have several Swarovski crystals and will be very chic. “ I wanted a costume that was not heavy nor too big, and resembled a bikini.”

Profile of Jaque Khury:




Good luck Jaque Khury once again I your two carnival parades!

Last Saturday, Shayene Cesário and Charlene Costa, accompanied by the Momo King visited Unidos da Tijuca Samba School rehearsal. It was a vibrant samba rehearsal, with many tourists, local community members and samba dancers mingling in full harmony. The rehearsal started at 11:00 PM, and everybody was anxious to see in live the presence of the Official Carnival Princesses , eagerly expected. The rehearsal also had the marking presence of Rogerinho , Unidos da Tijuca Master -of- Ceremony and Flag-Bearer Lucinha Nobre, the samba school First Couple.



The 2009 Rio Carnival Princesses and Momo King Milton Rodrigues da Silva Junior arrived at the samba rehearsal at 11:30 PM and remained at the samba school´s V.I.P. lounge, where they talked to Unidos da Tijuca directors and community. Marketing manager Fabiana Amorim helped to host the committee and led them through the samba court, presenting the President and other samba school celebrities.


Shayene Cesário, who was elected by RIO TUR as Rio de Janeiro Official Carnival Princess, was wearing a beautiful silver design dress and tall acrylic high heels. Charlene Costa, second Rio Carnival Princess was wearing a bright two piece samba outfit that accentuated her sensual curves. Both of them where wearing their Official Carnival Princess Tiaras. The samba rehearsal also had the important presence of Porto da Pedra Samba School, who was represented by their fantastic team of samba dancers.


Shortly after midnight, finally both Rio Carnival Princesses and Momo King headed to the Samba Court with the samba crowd in full expectation. It was the samba rehearsal apogee. Having the traditional Drum Section called “Candência Pura” energizing their movements, Shayene and Charlene showed why they deserved to be called Official Rio Carnival Princesses, involving locals with charm and grace.

See below Rio 2009 Carnival Princess dancing at the Unidos da Tijuca samba rehearsal.



Unidos da Tijuca elite samba dancers joined in to form a theatrical experience. Unidos da Tijuca court was complete, mesmerized in full samba dance limelight.


Unidos da Tijuca Samba School rehearsals every Saturday at “Clube dos Portuários”. Address: Avenida Francisco Bicalho, 47, Santo Cristo. Don´t miss next samba rehearsal December 6th.

Rio de Janeiro already has its new Official Carnival Queen. The Rio tourism government body RIOTUR promoted last September the “2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen and King Contest” at the Samba City in Rio. In total, there were 12 beautiful Brazilian Beauties, along with 12 heavy-weight King candidates… The Carnival “King” was also elected during the same event. The King in the Brazilian Carnival has a special title. He is called “Rei Momo”- Momo King, and his tradition goes back to the Brazilian Carnival Culture several years. Jéssica Maria de Freitas , 24 years old student, was the great winner of this warm and sensual night!



The contest started with the individual presentation of the 2009 Carnival Queen candidates. They were wearing golden swimwear and were cheered up by the Samba Show group. Many of them brought their personal fans from many samba schools. The candidates were judged on several criteria, including sympathy, beauty, carnival spirit, samba dance routines and outgoing personality. The jury committee was formed by notable personalities of the Brazilian Carnival, like Carlinhos de Jesus choreographer, journalist Sidney Rezende and Flag Bearer from Beija-Flor Selminha Sorriso. The Brazilian Beauties dances were elaborated by Unidos da Tijuca Flag Bearer Lucinha Nobre, who is the official choreographer of the contest. The Carnival Queen candidates made a second presentation through the runway, this time with full carnival costumes and were interviewed by contest host man, Jorge Perlingeiro.

Below, the samba dance part of the contest:




After much expectation and suspense, the samba fans that crowded the Samba City finally discovered who would help to promote Rio de Janeiro 2009 Carnival, as its formal Queen. Jessica Freitas and the Momo King Milton Rodrigues da Silva Junior were crowned by RIOTUR Operations Director, Bruno Mattos. Shayene Cesário Vieira and Charlene Valnice da Costa, earned respectively second and third place, and became Rio 2009 Carnival Princesses. They also earned prizes ranging from US$ 6.000 to US$ 10.000.




Below and above, we see pictures from Diego Mendes, Henrique Mattos and Alexandre Brum, from O DIA Agency.


Wondering what really a Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen and King does? This contest sponsored by the Rio de Janeiro City, is in reality a tradition and at the same time, a marketing event. Rio de Janeiro Carnival is the most magical carnival in the world, and needs constant promotional efforts. At their posts, the newly elected Queens, Princesses and the King visit the most important Carnival Balls, the Sambadrome Parade and take part of the official handling of the city keys ceremony with Rio ´s Mayor. In this event, the Mayor opens the city´s door to the Carnival festivity. They work non-stop from September through the end of the Carnival, in February, highlighting the Carnival affairs.
Next time in Rio, try to visit the Samba City or one of the many samba rehearsals in town!


Please see below the profile of the Brazilian Beauties of 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen contestants:



1- Natália dos Santos Norbert
Age: 20 years
Height: 1,65 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Dancer and Student
Samba School: all



2 - Lívia Silva Moura



Age: 19 years
Height: 1,67 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Student
Samba School: Mangueira


3 - Luciana Conceição da Silva
Age: 23 years
Height: 1,61 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Dancer
Samba School: All


4 - Luana Cristina Herdy Jesus
Age: 26 years
Height: 1,65
Size: 38
Profession: Ballerina
Samba School: Salgueiro


5 - Shayene Cesário Vieira Princess



Age: 23 years
Height: 1,75 cm
Size: 42
Profession: Lawyer
Samba School: Estácio de Sá


6 - Cynthia Jaciara Paixão de Oliveira
Age: 23 years
Height: 1,75 cm
Size: 40
Profession: Student
Samba School: Salgueiro




7- Michele Cristina Soares Pereira dos Santos
Age: 25 years
Height: 1,70 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Ballerina
Samba School: Portela


8 - Clara Cristina Paixão de Oliveira
Age: 25 years
Height: 1,70 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Nurse
Samba School: Beija-Flor


9 - Jéssica Maia de Freitas – Official 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen




Age: 25 years
Height: : 1,70 cm
Size: 40
Profession: Student
Samba School: Loves all of them!


10 - Érica Pereira Monteiro

Age: 20 years
Height: 1,62 cm
Size: 36
Profession: Dancer and Student
Samba School: União da Ilha


11 - Charlene Valnice da Costa – 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival 2nd Princess


Age: 25 years
Height: 1,70 cm
Size: 38
Profession: teacher and dancer
Samba School: Beija-Flor



12 - Danielle Batista de Brito
Age: 23 years
Height: 1,67 cm
Size: 38
Profession: Student
Samba School: Todas