The next Brazilian Beauty we will be describing in our Brazilian Carnival Drum Queen series is Gracyanne Barbosa - Drum Queen For Mangueira. Although Gracyanne was not born in Rio, the muse has strong ties with the Brazilian Carnival. In the past, this Brazilian beauty was Drum Queen for another traditional Samba School, Salgueiro. Gracyanne will serve Drums Queen post for the highly disputed Mangueira Samba School for the second term 2009. For the São Paulo Samba School Império da Casa Verde, she acted as Drums Section godmother. Although Gracyanne has a very strong built body, she dances samba very well according to several Carnival experts. The Brazilian dancer has been applauded at Mangueira since she never misses a rehearsal and is always supporting the school in shows and interviews. As we can see, this Brazilian Beauty is having a perfect reign in her Mangueira Drum Queen post!

See below picture of Gracyanne Barbosa for Globo shoot out:




Gracyanne Jacobina Barbosa Short Biography: Gracyanne was born in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, in September 1982 . She started her professional carrier as a dancer and became famous after joining a Brazilian musical group called “Tchakabum”. She has posed for several Brazilian men´s magazine, including Brazil Playboy in 2007, Virgula Girl in 2005, and VIP magazine in 2007. Gracyanne will marry this year the famous Brazilian pagode music singer Belo. The 26 year old model works out several hours a days with heavy weights and has a special nutritional routine. She also loves going to the beach and watching soccer matches. The gorgeous Brazilian dancer also has her own new site now at http://www.gracyannebarbosa.com.br/

Good Luck Gracyanne Barbosa!!

See below picture of Gracyanne Barbosa at Mangueira Samba School.

Carnival in Brazil is arriving and Belavista-Rio continues its series about the Special Group Drums Queens. Newcomer Juliane Almeida is the next Drum Queen at the Brazil Carnival we will be describing. Juliane Almeida is 24 years old and was recently elected Drum Queen for Viradouro Samba School, substituting one of Brazil most famous, sensual , and legendary sex icons in Brazil: Juliana Paes. This beautiful Brazilian dancer started participating at the rehearsal of Viradouro Samba School when she was 16 years old. Julana, which is a dancer, has strong ties with the samba community and had previously been elected Carnival Princess of Niterói , where is from. She was also Drums Queen from another samba school in the Rio Carnival called Paraíso do Tuiuti, which is from the Access Group ( 2nd League Samba School) in Rio de Janeiro.

Below the Brazilian Beauty from Viradouro:



Juliane Almeida Short Biography: This amazing “morena” started her professional life as a dancer. She danced ballet since she was a small girl and after many trials was called in to join to dance in a Pagode samba group called “É o Tchan”. With an instant fame credited to her sculptural body, the muse was invited to pose for a Brazilian men´s magazine called “Sexy” last February. Juliane, who is member of a church in Rio, sees no contradiction involving her professional career and her faith. Juliane´s boyfriend is very religious she says, but agrees with all her carnival activities. Juliane works out everyday to keep up her body and samba and now has her new website too! Good Luck Juliane in your new reign at Viradouro Samba School.

Another Picture of the Brazilian Muse Juliane at her relax time:

Luiza Brunet is the next Rio Carnival Drum Queen we will describe. Her story as a model can almost be written as the description of the glamorizing process of Rio Carnival Drum Queens, since she has been parading for more than 20 years. In 2009, Luiza Brunet will be the Carnival Drum Queen for Imperatriz Leopoldinense Samba School, one of the most traditional ones in Brazil. Luiza is in reality returning to Imperatriz Samba School since she paraded in that school in 1994, 1995, 1999, 2000, and 2001. In all of these years, she had the honor and charisma to help Imperatriz parade as the carnival parade champion. Luiza started her parading at Rio´s carnival as a Drum Queen for the legendary Portela Samba School, where she paraded until 1993. This year, Luiza will also be lending her strong presence to Acadêmicos da Rocinha, as kind of Godmother. She will represent at the Rocinha parade, a great French Madam at the parade opening section. The Samba Theme at Rocinha will be the French influence in Brazil´s history.



Luiza Brunet Short Biography: Model. From the heart of Pantanal, more precisely at a humble blockhouse surrounded by an exuberant and wild nature, was born Luiza Brunet, on May 24, 1962. Daughter of Luiz da Silva, a farmer from the Brazilian northeastern state of Ceará, and Alzira Botelho da Silva, a homemaker from Rio de Janeiro, She had a very poor but happy childhood. Then she was a packer at a tissue factory. Beauty, at the time, was a problem for her. She had to switch jobs to get rid of her boss' harassment and went to work at a boutique. She started modeling by chance, right after the wedding. At the time, photographer Nilton Ricardo was charmed by the brunette's beauty and invited her to shoot a book. From that day on, Luiza's career took off.

Good Luck Luiza in 2009 at your Imperatriz Parade!

Thatiana Pagung is the next Drum Queen we will be describing in our 2009 Drum Queen post series. Thatiana could be defined as one of the best examples of the true “roots” Drum Queens at the Brazilian Carnival. Unlike some other Queens, Thatiana has a deep connection with the samba world (she was born during a Carnival!!) and as a child, loved to watch the samba parades at TV. She was always fascinated by the magical aspect of the carnival parades, where she debuted in 1999, at the Rio Sambadrome with Tradição Samba School.

Thatiana, starting acting at the age of 11 at the Tablado Theater School, also soon learned that Carnival was able to unite several passions she had: music, acting, singing and dancing. As an attentive student, the muse observed the importance of the Drums Section with Master Riko at the Villa Lobos Music School. She was part of the Women only Percussion Group at Tradição Samba School. Apart from Tradição, the beautiful Brazilian beauty had impressive parades at Caprichosos de Pilares Samba School ( 2004 ) , Acadêmicos da Rocinha ( 2004 ) and Aguia de Ouro ( São Paulo 2003- 2004 ) . Thaiana Pagung has been a beauty muse since her first parades, being been elected as the Carnival Muse by the “O Dia” and “Extra” newspapers, as well as “Tamborin de Ouro” and “Musa do Alizirão”. See below great shot of Thiago Mattos





In 2009, Thatiana Pagung will parade again as Drum Queen for the legendary Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel Samba School, that she supports since 2007. The multi-talented actress once stated during an interview that parading in the Rio Sambadrome feels like a Dionysian ritual, where all the magic, ecstasy and enthusiasm vibrate in perfect harmony. Finally, this marvelous carioca is also Drum Queen for the Access Group samba School called Inocentes de Belford Roxo! Way to go Thatiana!


Short Biography Thatiana Pagung : Model, actress, movie maker, Drum Queen Thatiana is a true product of the samba world in Rio. Started as an actress with 11 years old, and then gained fame as the Drum Queen for Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel Samba School. Thatiana Pagung has a college degree in filmmaking and produced a series of documentaries of the Brazilian Carnival community in Rio de Janeriro. See below excellent portrait of Thatiana Pagung by João Laet:



The Samba muse is part of the Globo TV network cast, and had significant participations in “Zorra Total” and “Turma do Didi” comic TV shows. Recently, Thatiana was invited to shoot in the United States. Thatiana´s dark gold skin color is blessed by all Carnival Gods and mesmerizes even the most experienced samba musicians. Thatiana Pagung today has her own Carnival Blog column where she is an editor. Thatiana is a living proof that beauty can go together with serious and thorough content.

Good Luck Thatiana in your parade and continue with your samba and carnival passion.

Viviane Araujo´s name was linked to the Brazilian Carnival as soon as she reached Brazil ´s media lime lights. Viviane always loved Samba and started parading when she was very young in Rio´s Sambadrome, at the age of 18. As a true samba dancer, Viviane had her first chance as a true Drum Queen at Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel Samba School in 2005, where she paraded for several years. In 2008, Viviane paraded as Drum Queen for two Samba Schools in the Brazil Carnival: Salgueiro Samba School in Rio and Mancha Verde in São Paulo. In 2009 Carnival, Viviane will repeat this success recipe in these disputed samba parade posts. Viviane Araújo is considered one of the best samba dancers amongst all Drum Queens. If you have a chance to go to the Salgueiro Samba Rehearsal, you will be able to testify what I say… Good luck Viviane in your two parades in 2009 Brazil Carnival.

Below, the beautiful Viviane Araujo in her Salgueiro parade in 2008:





Viviane Araujo Short Biography: Viviane Araujo is a Brazilian model and actress. Viviane started her career when she was 16 years old, participating in several ads and pageant contests. Viviane was elected the “Bum Bum Girl” and “Carnival Panther” in 1996, Rio de Janeiro. In 1997, Viviane was the cover-girl for a Brazil men´s magazine called “Ele e Ela” and soon became a national sensual symbol. She was then cover girl for several other magazines, including Sexy and Playboy. Viviane Araujo was also elected Queen of the Brazilian version of the Gay Parade, in São Paulo, being kind of a godmother for Gay community. Today, Viviane is engaged to a Brazilian soccer player called Radamés. Viviane was born March 25, 1975 in Rio de Janeiro.




Prepare your hearts for the 2009 Brazil Carnival! Get yourself to Brazil! 68 days to Rio Carnival!

Belavista Carnival Blog continues its Drum Queen Series. Today, we will talk a little bit about Natalia Guimarães, Drum Queen for Unidos de Vila Isabel Samba Schooll. Natália, who last year had her official debut at the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, was confirmed as the Vila Isabel ´s Drum Queen and went to her 3rd rehearsal last weekend at the samba school court. In an interview, Natalia stated that this year she will have more liberty to support the samba school, since last year she had a tight agenda controlled by the Miss World contest. She also said the fine tuning with the Drums Section Master is vital. Vila Isabel´s Drums Master is known as "Mestre Mug", and is famous by his "paradinhas" or, short stops. Two carnival directors , "Carnavalescos" will sign her special costume: Alex de Souza e Paulo Barros. Vila Isabel´s samba parade theme for 2009 will be dedicated Rio de Janeiro´s Municipal Theater, which is celebrating its 100th inauguration anniversary. This parade promises to be a luxurious one, since Rio´s "Theatro Municipal" is a true copy of legendary Paris Opera Theater, but in a smaller scale.


See below picture of Vila Isabel Drum Queen Natalia Guimarães:



Natalia Guimarães Short Biography : Former Miss Universe Brazil. Natalia Guimarães won the title in April 14 2007 beating out over 26 other contestants from states and the Federal District, Brasília. Natalia also won the 2007 Top Model of the World International Pageant. However, she resigned due to her participation in Miss Universe. On May 28, 2007, Natália competed in the 2007 Miss Universe Pageant held in Mexico City, Mexico. She finished as the 1st runner up. The day after the Miss Universe competition, a Mexican television show asked the public who should have won the pageant. Natália Guimarães won this poll with almost a third of the votes.



Good Luck Natália in your Vila Isabel Samba Parade!

Every queen must be ready to protect its kingdom. Actress and TV host Adriane Galisteu has been for three consecutive years Drum Queen for Unidos da Tijuca Samba School. Even with a tight schedule, she never puts aside her commitment with the traditional samba school. In 2009 Brazil Carnival, Adriane will parade for the 14th time, in Rio de Janeiro. Adriane states that parading at the Rio´s Sambadrome is one of her true life pleasures. Unidos da Tijuca muse loves being around the samba school members, and is confident the School will win the Carnival Parade contest. When asked if she has any kind of “ritual” before parading, Adriane says she doesn´t have any special one. This true Brazilian beauty though, has her own view of what persona a carnival drum queen should be. Adriane thinks the Carnival Drum Queen should not only attract media and press attention, but be respectful to the samba school components, be sympathetic, love samba and sing the school´s samba parade lyrics. Adriane believes that everyone in Brazil should be a “warrior” when tackling the country´s health and education difficulties. Way to go Adriane!



See photo above of Adriane Galiesteu at the Rio Carnival Rehearsal at Sambadrome

Short Biography: Adriane Galisteu is a Brazilian actress and TV host. The blond muse was born on April 18, 1973 in São Paulo, has beautiful green eyes and is 1.74 m (5 ft 81⁄2 in) tall. Adriane was TV host for a series of shows, including Brazil MTV, Rede TV!, TV Gazeta, Rede Record, MTV and SBT. She had significant participations include Coisa de Mulher (2005), "Sai de Baixo" .... Caco's Clone (1 episode, 1997), "Xica da Silva" (1996) TV series and "Antônio Alves, Taxista". Adriane Galisteu was the girlfriend of the legendary 3 times F-1 Champion driver Ayrton Senna in 1994.

See photo below of Adriane Galiesteu in a fashion editorial:

Drum Queen Short Bio: As you may have read, Belavista-Rio Carnival Blog is writing a series of posts, explaining and presenting the major samba-schools drum queens for the 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival. Mirella Santos is one of the next Brazilian beauties we will be describing:< Mirella was born in the south of Brazil, in Florianopolis in 1983. Since she was a small girl, Mirella practiced ballet and was invited to shoot TV commercials. After hours of hard work at gyms and dancing rehearsals, Mirella was elected Pole Position Muse at the Renault Clio Formula Cup and was soon chosen by the Brazilian version of Playboy Magazine to star one of its covers. Apart from the Rio Carnival, Mirella has two other passions, dancing and soccer, where she is a fan of her local team Havaí. As a dancer, Mirella was a permanent hire for the famous “Domingão do Faustão” TV show for two years. She was also chosen to be the “The Temptation Girl” in another TV show produced by Globo Network TV. Today, Mirella lives in Rio and is engaged to Brazilian pop-star singer Latino. She also loves going to the beach, where she tans her body and relaxes after several hours of gym workout.

MIrella Santos Drum Queen posing for Andre Muzell on the Sambadrome:



Carnival History: Mirella started her official parading at the Rio de Janeiro Carnival at the Academicos do Salgueiro Samba School. Soon after she became a national beauty celebrity, she was invited to become the Salgueiro Muse, where she would shine almost like the Drum Queen, or the Drum Section “Godmother”. Since she has a strong ballet background, Mirella thought her transition to the samba dance routines would be smooth, and she was right! Her 2008 parade was a great success with huge media coverage. She has several compliments in regards to her energetic samba dance, perfect samba-school harmony and parade choreography.


This year, Mirella accomplished one of her dreams, being invited to act as a true Drum Queen for Estácio de Sá Samba School. The school, who is part of “Access Group”, hopes to use all of her talent in order to successfully up-grade to the elite samba team, the “Special Group” in 2010. Estácio de Sá samba ´s theme for the 2009 carnival will be “Que chita bacana”, created by carnival director Cid Carvalho. Good luck Mirella in your Carnival Parade!!


Below, we Mirella Santos in the 2008 samba parade for Salgueiro.

Today we will be inaugurating a new blog category within the Belavista-Rio Carnival Blog, Legendary Drum Queens in the Brazilian Carnival. It will be devoted to a series of Brazilian muses that participated as drum queens for major samba schools in Brazil. In these series of posts, we will present the muse small biography and a summary of their parade participations within the Rio and Sao Paulo samba schools. The first personality we will post will be actress Juliana Paes.



Short Biography: Actress, former model. Juliana Paes is the typical Carioca Girl. Cover girl for several Brazilian magazines, she is considered the top sex symbol in Brazil. Juliana was also ranked by “People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People" in 2006. Juliana gained famed after successful leading role participations in GLOBO TV soap-operas. She has also done some cinema, musicals, theater plays, and even some fashion shows. As a multi-talented artist Juliana has proven she has more than a gorgeous body.



Samba History: Juliana is perfect example of well established Samba partnership. Being native to the Niteroi region, Juliana chose the Viradouro Samba School to start her samba parading story in Rio de Janeiro. She was elected to be Drum Queen for several years, enjoying great success, both by the São Gonçalo community and Brazil press and media. A great portion of her success as a drum queen is credited to her active involvement with the school. She always took part of most of the technical rehearsals at the samba school headquarters and at the Sambadrome. Juliana was officially announced as the Drum Queen for Viradouro Samba School in 2004, where she maintained the post for five consecutive years through 2008. Important to note that in 2004, her first as Viradouro Drum Queen, Juliana replaced legendary samba muse and sensual icon Luma de Oliveira. That was not a simple task due to Luma´s immense popularity.



In 2009, Juliana alleged that she could not anymore fulfill the drum queen´s roll anymore, because of her tight TV and theater rehearsals’ schedule, but would continue to support the school. On October this year, Juliana passed her crown to newly elected Viradouro Drum Queen: Juliane Almeida. Congratulations Juliana for all your samba passion and charisma!

Who said São Paulo doesn’t have Samba or beautiful women? Last Saturday, October 4th, Jaqueline Khury, 25 year old model and actress was awarded Drum Queen for a São Paulo Samba School called Academicos do Tatuapé.

The ceremony was held at the Samba School court in São Paulo, and had many reporters and samba admires, anxious to watch the moment when the model would be officially bearer of the Drum Queen post. Jaqueline Khury proved also she is not only a marvelous model, but knows the Samba dance. On the "coronation ceremony", Jaque Khury was wearing a white dress which enchanted all percussionists and samba school components. Jaqueline Khury kissed the Official Samba School flag, and promised to use all her energy to help the Tatuapé become the next champion at the São Paulo carnival parade.




This São Paulo Samba School was founded in 1952, and is considered a important Samba School for the development of the carnival in São Paulo. Although is not part of the "Special Group", Academicos do Tatuapé Samba School has been obtaining good scores in the last carnival parades, and promises a great carnival in 2009. Academicos do Tatuapé will parade next to other samba schools of “Group 1” of São Paulo Carnival, which grants access to the São Paulo main parading group. Academicos do Tatuapé has this name since it established itself in a large neighborhood/ region in São Paulo called Tatuapé, and has as its official colors white and blue.

Below we see another picture of the Drum Queen Jaqueline Khury, where she shows her new tattoo.