Brazil is a continental country, full of cultural differences. But just like in the United States, where basketball, country-music, and fast-food seem to be omnipresent across all regions, we too have several national passions and identities.
In Brazil, the Carnival festivity, soccer championships and pageant contests (like in California) are definitely some of the top current popular expressions. But have you have ever imagined when any one of two of these country passions goes together? Lately, we have observed a number of beauty contests being promoted all around the country: Miss Brazil, Top Beach Girl, Goddess of Samba, Carnival Muses and most recently, the newest popular fever, the National Soccer Muse which happened in Rio-de-Janeiro. This is what we will talk about today.
Since 2007, a famous sports channel decided to take profit of this “new wave” and promote a new beauty contest involving the soccer enthusiasts and supporters all throughout the Internet. The objective was to select the most beautiful muse of each of the Brazil´s major league Top 20 teams. Needless to say it was a tremendous success, with huge media appearance and public involvement. Last estimates show more than 10.000 goddess of soccer enrolled themselves in the contest, which had three phases. During the first phase, the organizers selected through the Internet, three muses per each major soccer team in Brazil. At the second phase, one muse per team was selected, also through a disputed poll through the Internet and mobile phones messages. On the final phase, which happens in the end of December in Rio-de-Janeiro, out of the 20 TOP BRAZIL muses from teams like Fluminense, Gremio, and Flamengo, one final soccer muse is elected for one year.
We will post in Belavista Brazil Carnival Blog some pictures of the Brazil Muses elected by this disputed beauty contest, as well as information about their carrier. To start out this series, we will post the winner of 2008 – Ariane Gonzalez:
Full Name:
A: usually Ariane Garcia Gonzalez.
Nickname:
R: Nane.
Hometown:
A: Rio Claro.
Live with whom?
R: boyfriend.
Age:
A: 22 years.
Weight:
A: 51kg
Height:
A: 1.68 m
Hip:
A: 90cm
Bust:
A: 90cm
Workout?
A: Gym and walking outdoors.
Smoke?
A: No
Drink?
A: Socially
Has tattoo? How many? In which part of the body?
A: Yes. A star on each wrist.
It has piercing? How many? In which part of the body?
A: Yes, at the belly button.
Has some special ability (such as singing, dancing, shoes, playing football, other sports, do something quite different, etc.).
A: Interpretation, dance and singing.
Speaks more than one language other than Portuguese ?
A: Spanish.
Married? Single? Have a boyfriend?
A: Yes, dating.
What most attracts a man?
A: Smile.
Have pets? How many? What?
A: Yes, a cat.
Mania or addiction (eating, cleaning, etc.):
R: cleaning.
Defects:
A: perfectionist.
Hobby:
A singing and watch soccer games.
You know play football?
A: Yes
If you play - or play - what would your position and why?
R: Striker, since I am determined.
What is the most beautiful football player of his time?
A: The half Diego Souza.
What is your biggest idol in football and why?
A: Marcos, the Palmeiras goalkeeper.
At the 2009 Carnival in Brazil, we had several gorgeous women that could be considered the very top carnival muses after the festivity was over. These include Viviane Araújo, Drum Queen for Salgueiro Samba School – Champion of the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, Luma de Oliveira Drum Queen for Portela, for returning to the Sambadrome with 44 years, and Rayssa de Oliveira, the 18 year old Brazilian beauty from Beija-Flor Samba School, who supposedly charmed the famous singer Roberto Carlos.
But today we will describe a new carnival muse that dazzled most carnival journalists, muse experts and the public in general: the marvelous Shayene Cesário.
Shayene Cesário is a 23 years old model and law student born in Rio de Janeiro. The lovely brazilian brunette has indigenous, European, and Afro-Brazilian roots, which clearly constructed that extraordinary look. Shayene was raised in the traditional São Carlos neighborhood and started to parade at the early age of 8 with Estácio de Sá Samba School in Rio. After being considered a muse for the soccer team “Botafogo”, one of her other passions, Shayene Cesario found about Carnival Queen and Princess Contest promoted by RIOTUR, by a friend. Shayene rightfully enrolled at the conquest since she knew she had a good “samba dance routine” and loved carnival too.
Above Shayene Cesario at São Paulo´s Sambadrome...
When the Official Rio de Janeiro Queen and Princess Contest was over, September 26th, Shayene Cesário could never imagine she would be crowned the Official Rio de Janeiro Carnival Princess, winning over 12 other contenders. The other winners of the contest were: in first place Jessica Maia, Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen; 29 year old Milton Rodrigues as "Rei Momo"; Momo King, and Charlene Costa as Rio de Janeiro 2nd Princess.
Below, the Muse had been compared to Luiza Brunet, because of her dark hair, height and eyes...
The decision was made by a judging panel that considered several attributes for the final scores, including samba dance abilities, overall charisma, sympathy, body elegance and facial expressions. The samba choreography was organized by the renowned Lucinha Nobre, Flag Bearer from Unidos da Tijuca Samba School.
Sheyene showing all her samba dance in contest;...
As part of her attributes of Official Rio de Janeiro Carnival Princess, Shayene Cesário had to participate in a series of carnival balls, visit several samba rehearsal promoted by traditional samba schools like Unidos da Tijuca, Mangueira, Salgueiro, Portela, together with the other members of the carnival court in Rio: Jessica Maia – Carnival Queen and Momo King Milton Rodrigues.
Those who think this marketing pampering campaign is just posing may be unadvised: The carnival promotion marathon is extremely strenuous and fatiguing. As an example of a classic carnival promotional event, the Rio de Janeiro Mayor hands the “city´s keys” to Carnival court and officially opens the carnival festivity.
But who said the < b> Brazil Muse Shayene Cesario is only appealing to the eyes? Shayene is finishing her Law School and will become a full lawyer in one year. The Rio Carnival Muse worked for two years as an intern at the Public Attorney in Rio, where she had a good chance to learn a bit of the profession’s routine.
What a nice smile Shayene...
To maintain the amazing fit , Shayene Cesário works out everyday and also practices martial arts. Shayene Cesário has nearly perfect measures: 5.74 feet (1, 75 m ) and 143 pounds ( 65 kg) in a proportional waist line. Apart from parading in Rio´s Sambadrome, Shayene also paraded in São Paulo, where she enjoyed great success.
Finally, after Rio´s Carnival was over, some Brazilian press news agencies have speculated the Brazilian brunette is almost concluding a deal with a famous men´s magazine, for a sensual editorial. I am sure Shayene Cesario will be one of Brazil´s 2009 next celebrity for everything she represents: her simple ways, her friendly smile, her colorful ethnic background and spontaneous personality.
Good luck Shayene in 2009 and congratulations for your samba roots! Please see below some of Shayene Cesario´s photos in carnival shoots!
Finally above, the carnival muse deserves a beer...
Sabrina Sato Carnival Biography:> Who said Sabrinas can´t dance? TV show host, comedian and artist Sabrina Sato is another marvelous beauty present in the Brazilian Carnival. Since she was a kid, Sabrina loved to watch carnival samba parades and would join carnival balls for kids. Later, Sabrina became a professional dancer so her transition for Samba dancing was a natural move. Sabrina Sato Brazilian modeL was always attached to Gavioes da Fiel Samba School in São Paulo, where she paraded as Carnival Muse in 2008. During that parade, she showed why she was a multi-talented artist: as she was parading, the top portion of her golden costume ripped off, and she had to dance all the way holding her braw or they would fall. Many would imagine she would lose her grace or majesty right there…By the contrary, she gained fame for being able to shine, smile and dance .
Sabrina Sato gained the confidence and trust of >Gavioes da Fiel Samba School since she would always attend the samba rehearsals. The sensual Brazilian participated in innumerous rehearsals and samba school activities to help promote Gavioes da Fiel Samba School. Sabrina parades for Gavioes da Fiel since 2005 and for the 2009 carnival parade in São Paulo, Sabrina Sato will show up as one of the samba-school´s highlights, definitely a great honor.
Below, picture of Sabrina Sato at the 2008 Carnival in Sao Paulo:
Sabrina Sato also has a special passion for Rio de Janeiro´s carnival too. The beauty always says she loves the wonder city, its beaches and has paraded in 2008 and 2009 as a muse for the Salgueiro Samba-School. This is indeed a great distinction for the dancer and artist since the traditional Salgueiro Samba School is known for its high-flying muses like Viviane Araujo.
Below, models Viviane Araujo and Sabrina:
Sabrina Sato Biography: Sabrina as born February 4, 1981,in Penápolis, São Paulo and is a Brazilian celebrity. She is one of the most beautiful Brazilian actress and really represents the Brazilian beauty. She is half Japanese, maternal side, 1/4 Swiss and 1/4 Lebanese (paternal side). She was a cast member of the third season of the reality television program "Big Brother Brasil", ranking in 6th place. During the show, she had a relationship with Domini, the winner of the edition. Their relationship was covered by the media for a while after the show ended, but interest soon faded.
Above, a wonder shot of Sabrina in Luxury Carnival Costume.
Sabrina Sato reclaimed celebrity by joining Pânico, a comedy troupe that hosts a homonyms radio show on the popular, youth-focusing radio station Jovem Pan. In the show, Sabrina made fun of her own intellectual limitations and her small-town roots. In September 2003, Panico's own television show, named Pânico na TV, premiered on Rede TV. Sabrina became the show's reporter normally pulling risky or unusual tricks such as having her body covered with bees, being buried alive, eating bugs, and even been by scorpion, watched in YouTube by more than 4,5 million people!
Sabrina Satto in a samba rehearsal: passion for Samba and dance:
In 2006, she made headlines by announcing that she would leave Pânico. Soon after she released her first single, “É Verdade” (From Brazilian Portuguese to It's True; to which is also her catchphrase), talking about her departure. She came back to the show later on and it was revealed that everything was just a publicity stunt.
Along with Grazielli Massafera Sabrina Sato is Big Brother Brasil's most successful contestant ever, inasmuch as she and Massafera are the only female participants from the reality show that were able to build a career following their departure from the show.
Today she has her own website and is developing a design jeans brand. Sabrina is also known for several charity campaigns she promotes in favor of cancer patients. She has volunteered also for LBV institution in Brazil.
Below, Sabrina Sato in photo shoot for Nova Magazine, which partners with Cosmopolitan" in Brazil:
Good luck Sabrina Sato in your two parades in Brazil ´s Carnival.
Following the example of many Brazilian celebrities, Ellen Cardoso a.k.a. Mulher Moranguinho, became too a Carnival Drum Queen for a Samba School in Rio. The 31 years old Rio “Carioca” Funk genre musical dancer decided to parade in Rio de Janeiro´s Carnival late 2008, after much speculation over which samba school she would represent. Moranguinho stated in several interviews that to participate in a Rio Samba School was one of her dreams, and it would be a “great honor to take part in that opportunity”. The carnival gossip almost announced Moranguinho as the Drum Queen for Porto da Pedra Samba School in October, but was not confirmed. Finally in November, Ellen Cardoso was officially presented as the Drum Queen for Paraiso do Tuiuti, by the samba school board. The professional dancer took profit of many samba rehearsals and carnival promotional events in November and December to practice her samba dance routines.
See below the Brazilian beauty Moranguinho dancing Samba:
Ellen Cardoso, aka Mulher Moranguinho also stated in another interview she was totally impressed with the size of Rio ´s Carnival structure, which she labeled as “pharaohnic”, much different from Salvador´s carnival. Moranguinho was born in São Paulo and was discovered two years ago by a local Carioca funk MC, called MC Créu and gained instant fame after many dancing performances. The Brazilian brunette, who will get married this year with a businessman from São Paulo, was formally crowned Drum Queen for Paraíso do Tuiuti samba school January 16th, with great media frenzy. Paraíso do Tuiuti is Samba-School from the Access Group in Rio de Janeiro, and it´s rehearsals are located at its headquarters at Sao Cristovão. The colors of Paraiso do Tuiuti are blue and gold and 2009 Samba theme will be devoted to the Urca Cassino in Rio.
Below, a beautiful picture of the carnival muse:
A Brazilian magazine announced today the Rio de Janeiro 2009 Carnival Queen Jessica Maia will be its new cover girl. This Brazilian Beauty, considered by many as the national version of Beyoncé, is 25 years old and from the traditional Portela Samba School. The news caused a bit of surprise within Rio´s Carnival world, since it will be the first time a Rio Carnival Queen was invited to pose and star in the cover of a prestigious magazine.
The photo shooting took place at Rio´s Samba City, more specifically at Portela´s barracão ( Big Shed ) where Rio de Janeiro´s carnival is actually constructed. Jéssica Maia, who is a samba dance teacher and model, will return to Panamá after the Brazilian Carnival is over.
Jéssica was crowned together with Shayene Cesario , Charlene Costa, and Momo King Milton Júnior on a Carnival contest promoted by Rio´s tourism body RIOTUR.
See below the picture of Jessica Maia, Shayene and Livia Moura on the 2009 Rio Carnival Queen Contest.
Miss Khury, Jaque Short Biography: Model, Jacqueline was born in São Paulo, April 6th 1980. She started her career posing for TV ads and minor participation in movies and TV shows. In 2008, Jaque Khury was invited to join the Brazilian version of Big Brother in its 8th edition. She posed for a famous men´s magazine in March 2008 wearing leather boots and caused great success.
Jaqueline Khury has unique golden skin that has attracted fans all over Brazil. Part of every new list of the new national sensual symbol, Drum Queen Jaque has a provocative mouth, and perfect teeth. She is now studying theater. Also, she have participated in SuperPOP TV show, always with smart comments and intelligent moves.
Jaque Khury now has her official new site, which shows all of her latest´s works. Jaque Khury has been a cover girl for series of prestigious magazines, including:
- VIP
- Revista Molde & Cia
- Revista Expressão
Also, Jaque was crowned Drums Queen for Academicos do Tatuapé Samba School in São Paulo. Apart from samba dancing, Jaque also has two other passions, her soccer team Corinthians from São Paulo, where she supports by going to the games, and her little cute dog! In summary, Jaque Khury is in tune with all Brazilian passions: soccer, samba and the beaches. Way to go!!
Below, a shot of Jaque at the Leblon beach in Rio.
Mariana Felicio Short Biography: Until four years ago, no one in Brazil ever heard of this wonder girl from the country-side of Sao Paulo. Mariana Felício had a tough life from the moment she was born. Her father used to work in agriculture and her mother was house keeper. For a long time she modeled and also worked as a fisherwoman, until was invited to join a reality show, where she showed all her charisma and personality.
Mariana Felício´s dazzling eyes and low-key personality. Mariana shows it is possible to be a tall model, and display natural Brazilian curves. This Brazilian Beauty may be a simple one, but in this case, less means much more.
After the reality show frenzy, Mariana has dedicated herself to her new acting career. She has been going through a series of intepretation lessons and soon will debut in a theater, playing a native Brazilian indian. She also particiates in a series of charity programs and volunteer work.
Mariana Felicio is also very happy now since her niece Maria Eduarda was born. Good Luck Mariana in your projects!
Although we still have more than 160 days to go for 2009 Rio Carnival, backstage parade negotiations are at full speed. Didn’t understand? Let me explain you: Carnival in Rio has several activities throughout the year, but some of its highlights before the official Carnival Parade, are the samba school theme definition and drum queen contests. Both of these activities are organized by Rio´s Samba Schools, between carnival ´s official end and the parade in the following year.
Over the last years, the Rio Carnival has become more and more professional, when it comes to the grand parade at Rio´s sambadrome. Samba-Schools today hire a full range of professionals, from musical directors to drum queens that make sure their parade shines in a glittering harmony. These artists specialized themselves in what is known to be the worlds largest and most magical live show - the Carnival Parade in Rio. Today, just like soccer or basketball players, these professionals became extremely precious assets to a Samba-School in Rio. Some of these professions include float engineers, stylists, hairdressing artists, artisans, drum queens, flag bearers, costume designers, musicians, and general managers. In the past, most professionals were linked to a specific samba school or community.
Today it is not rare to see an elite stylist being hired by a major Samba School, and being paid with big money. Samba schools sometimes receive hard cash with grants and sponsors, which makes all of these negotiations possible. Last month for example, one of the major Samba Schools in Rio called Beija-Flor announced its possible partnership for the 2009 Rio Carnival with Anglo-Dutch consumer product giant Unilever.
Below, we see the picture of Ellen Cardoso, a.k.a. “Mulher Moranguinho” or “Strawberry Woman” getting ready to become the next Rio Carnival Drum Queen.
For this year, a series of negotiations are already taking place. In the beginning of the year, Max Lopes, one of the greatest Rio de Janeiro carnival directors was announced as the new general Carnival style artist for Porto da Pedra Samba School. Another recent negotiation was the hiring of Roberto Szaniecki by the traditonal Mangueira Samba School, as carnival art director.
Below, Ellen Cardoso being crowned at Paraiso do Tuiuti:
Aside from what the carnival community calls "technical posts", many of the Samba-Schools concentrate their efforts in trying to find a high flying celebrity for the Drum Queen position. This is notoriously one of flashiest positions within a Samba School. Please read my post in May to understand how Drum Queens are selected.
Since the end of the 2008 carnival, several new Drum Queens were announced as "possible candidates" for traditional Samba Schools like Viradouro, Salgueiro, and Porto da Pedra Samba School. Some Samba School presidents use this media frenzy and mystery to enhance and promote their Samba School. For now, we have a confirmation of the Drum Queen post for Salgueiro Samba School, which will be dancer and model Viviane Araújo. Also, Thatiana Pagung, carnival blogger and one of the most famous Drum Queens in Rio, was already confirmed as Drum Queen for Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel Samba School.
Below, Drum Queen Viviane Araújo displays the Salgueiro Samba School Flag!
In samba school Porto da Pedra though, we are watching a tough competition with several contenders. At least five different Rio muses are being considered by the samba school´s presidency, including the daughter of the legendary "Girl of Ipanema", Ticiane Pinheiro.
Other candidates for Porto da Pedra Samba School Drum Queen post are Iris Stefanelli - model and TV show presenter; Luciana Picorelli - model, Andressa Soares a.k.a. “Garota Melancia” (Watermellon Girl), and recent Brazil dance muse " Mulher Moranguinho - Ellen Cardoso", or Strawberry Woman. As I was about to publish this post, I read in the news that possibly the “Apple Woman” or “Mulher Maçã” became a new contender for this dispute as well. This fruit list is becoming endless…It looks like we will be having salad fruit at the 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival Samba Parade in 2009 Rio Carnival. Not bad!
The purpose of Belavista-Rio Carnival Blog is to promote Rio de Janeiro and the Brazilian culture and is safe for any family member. Belavista-Rio is strictly against pornography and/or any adult content. You will never see out of context nudity or adult material in this Blog. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns regarding content on this blog.
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