Meet the gorgeous Brazilian Samba dancers set to steal the show at the Rio Carnival
THEY are the gorgeous, glittering Samba dancers who steal the show at the greatest party on the planet.
The queens and muses who light up the jaw-dropping, heart-pounding Rio Carnival are once again preparing to don their spectacular costumes and strut their stuff in front of millions watching from across the globe.
And as Brazil this week explodes into its annual crescendo of passion and colour we take a closer look at the beauties who’ll be taking centre stage at the iconic Sambadrome showpiece.
One of the nation’s favourite’s is stunning Mayara Lima who has 1.2 million followers on Instagram where she shares her amazing moves and outfits.
The 28-year-old’s incredible display earned her the title of drum queen at the 2023 celebration where Brazil top Samba Schools compete for glory.
And her UK-based fans can see Mayara live later this year when her Euro Tour comes to London, giving Brits the chance to sample the electric carnival atmosphere.
The beauty will also be giving fans the unique opportunity to see her practice her moves at a master workshop in April – with private classes for Samba lovers also an option.
Mayara will be among the star attractions when she performs with Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school at the main parade in Rio this weekend.
Sao Paulo dancer Alane Dias, 25, is also sure to catch the eye when she makes her way through the adoring crowds amid the pounding Samba beats.
She shot to fame as a contestant in Brazil’s Big Brother and has been dancing from the age of two – following in the footsteps of her ballet dancing mother.
Alane has a whopping 4.5 million followers on Instagram and is famed for a high-kicking ability that would put some of Brazil’s world-famous footie aces in the shade.
Multi-talented singer and songwriter Gabriela Martins has also captured the hearts of the Samba-daft nation by embracing the carnival mood.
The blonde beauty, 28, is one of the country’s best-known pop stars but has also become a favourite at the Rio extravaganza last year when she wore a revealing red-feathered outfit that left little to the imagination.
She performs with Unidos de Vila Islabel and shared a clip with her 13 million Instagram fans ahead of this year’s show with publicity shots showing off her incredible gym-toned physique.
Actress and model Erika Januza is also impossible to ignore when turning the spotlight on Brazil’s carnival queens.
The 39-year-old has appeared on the front cover of countless fashion magazines – including Brazil’s Vogue Bride.
She has given her 4.8million social media fans a glimpse of what to expect when she thrills the crowds packed into the Sambadrome this week.
She’s shared videos of her technical rehearsals and shots of her posing in a silver bejewelled design made by fashion stylist Vitor Carpe.
Erika said of the revealing frock: “I couldn’t pick one lol. So much talent my loves.”
Stunning Victoria Campos is a rising star of the Samba scene and her social media feeds are also rocketing thanks to her glam look and dance moves.
It’s little wonder she’s been selected by Samba school Portela to lead the way at this year’s carnival in their gold and blue colours.
Singer MC Rebecca has amassed a huge following for her vocal performances but she also knows how to make her mark on the dancefloor.
Her slick moves have won her an army of fans on social media with almost four million following her high-energy Instagram feed.
Perhaps the most celebrated carnival queen of all is actress Paolla Oliviera who made her name on the silver screen before becoming a Samba star.
Sexy Paolla, 42, has a staggering 35 million followers on Instagram and is known throughout Latin America after starring in a string of hit TV shows and movies.
Her image was seen around the world at last year’s carnival when she wore a glittering gold high-tech costume that transformed her into a jaguar.
She has shared her latest outfit and preparations with fans over the last few days as she gets ready to play another memorable part in the awesome show.
Brazilian Carnival season is a spectacle of colours, rhythms, and emotions that attracts revellers from all over the world.
This year’s event officially takes place between February 28 and March 5, with a programme that brings millions of people to the streets, to the Sambadrome parades, and to themed balls.
It is a maelstrom of dance and colour but the epicentre is the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí where the gigantic floats and dancers from the samba schools bring the electric atmosphere to life.
This grand spectacle features each school with hundreds of people singing, dancing, and parading on enormous floats, all to the sound of samba-enredo songs that tell incredible stories.
The parades take place on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday when more than 200 million Brazilians put their lives on hold to enjoy the show.
Read Graham Mann’s review of the 2024 Rio Carnival here.