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Above, the Juliana Alves, Carnaval Queen as Perola Negra Samba-School Drum Queen from Sao Paulo

Juliana is a passionate samba fan and has been literally to all samba-schools ‘quadras’ in Rio, where she practices her samba routines. (The Brazilian Muse actually lives two blocks away from Unidos da Vila Samba-School premises. ) Some of these quadras include Unidos da Tijuca, Portela, Mocidade Independente, Império da Tijuca, and Salgueiro. Important not to forget Juliana started her professional life as a true dancer, so she naturally has rhythm, specially samba, running thorough her veins.

Below, a special photo shoot made by Yuri Garnero of Tudo de Samba / Sambarazzo team:

In 2004, Alves, Juliana was invited to parade as Carnival Muse for traditional samba-school Salgueiro.

Also during that year, she enjoyed great success as full Queen of Drums for Império da Tijuca Samba-School, a coveted position in Brazil Carnaval.

Finally last year, in 2008, Juliana had a chance to present herself in two other samba-schools:

Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel and Renascer de Jacarepagua.

Even though the Carnaval Diva has rehearsed her samba routines in many samba-schools and joined the parade in at least 6 different samba-schools, when asked which one she supports, Unidos de Vila Isabel is the answer!

Congratulations for supporting the Carnaval in Brazil and making sure its culture is spread all over the world.

If you want to see Juliana, try one of the Samba practices in Rio…

Alves Juliana Short Life Biography:

Juliana Alves is a Brazilian actress & model, born May 3rd 1982. Juliana started her professional life as a dancer.

Later, she gained famed after participating in a reality show in 2003. She was then invited to join a Globo Network as contract actress. She participated in a many TV series and soap operas.

• “Chocolate com Pimenta” – 2003.
• ” Mano a Mano”. – 2004
• ” Prova de Amor” – 2006
• ” Amazônia, de Galvez a Chico Mendes” & “Duas Caras” – 2007
• ” Faça sua História”, ” Casos e Acasos” “A Grande Família” – 2008
• ” Caminho das Ìndias” – 2009

Beautiful picture of Alves Juliana by Leila Fiolino

We would like to thank Alice & Tudo de Samba/ Sambarazzo, and Yuri Garnero, which provided photos and text inspiration.

The beautiful Brazilian Muse in samba rehearsal in Sao Paulo, above

Today we will talk about one of the most charming Goddesses of Brazilian Carnaval; Drum Queen Fabia Borges. Fabia´s relationship with Brazil´s Carnaval is probably one of the oldest amongst Carnival Muses since her mother called Juju Maravilha, was a respected samba-school Flag Bearer – porta-bandeira for Unidos da Tijuca Samba School (a traditional samba-school in Rio.) The Muse started to parade when she was only 5 years old, dancing samba in the kids section of the Nilopolis based samba-school Beija-Flor, her mother’s first Samba-School. Then, her mother Juju Maravilha, was invited to become the Flag-Bearer ( Porta Bandeira) for Unidos da Tijuca Samba School, and the beauty also joined the traditional samba-school.

Below we see the astonishing Carnaval muse , between two percussionists in a samba-show offered by Rocinha to a luxury mall in Rio called Fashion Mall.

Carnaval Musas Fabia Borges

Photo Credit: Agencia FOTO BR – Protected by law.

Since Carnaval was literally a family question, Fabia would participate in all samba-rehearsals and events since she could remember. Once she told the press her mother used to keep an eye on her when she was still very young, because of her precocious body: “My mother was right about being worried. I have this body since I was 13″.

Fabia always wears beautiful costumes. The one we see below was from the 2009 parade at Academicos da Rocinha, where she is seen in front of “her” Drum Section.

Fabia Borges Exclusive

Photo Credit: Agencia FOTO BR – Protected by law.

Fabia would debut as an adult at the Sambadrome runaway in 1996, when she dressed a small carnival bikini-type costume. She also mentioned, even though she was wearing a small costume, she felt comfortable, since she had never had problems with this kind of issue. She also stated that during that another parade, she had to change herself “in front of everyone at the Sambadrome”, since she arrived late at the concentração – parade meeting point. The muse was positively surprised that no one overlooked her, since everybody already respected her because of her Carnaval career. After parading a few years at Unidos da Tijuca Samba-School, Fábia Borges was invited to become the Carnaval Drum Queen for the Acadêmicos da Rocinha Samba-school, where she has supported since 2006.

Below, a perfect picture from photographer Alexandre Vidal, at the crowning ceremony in 2007. For new samba readers, this is the moment where the Carnival Muse receives the crown from the samba school president and pledges allegiance to the samba-school flag. We can clearly see all her passion and devotion to Rocinha and to the carnaval culture.

Exclusive Fabia Borges

Photo Credit: Agencia FOTO BR – Protected by law.

According to the Brazilian press, the Goddess of Carnaval Fabia Borges has been invited to pose for a men’s magazine several times in the past, but didn’t accept since her former husband (Fabia divorced in 2007) used to be very jealous. Today, the beauty re-affirms she would have no problem posing. Apart from her carnival profession, Fabia Borges used to be a sales manager for a company in Spain, where she lived for many years. The Goddess goes to the beach whenever she can and works out several hours per week to maintain her physical fit. When asked about her favorite exercise, she appoints regular running & indoor biking sessions.

Below, another magnificent photo of the lovely muse by Alexandre Vidal at Rocinha ´s official samba-rehearsal.

Exclusive goddesses of carnaval

Photo Credit: Agencia FOTO BR – Protected by law.

Drum Queen Fabia regularly participates at the samba-rehearsals promoted by Acadêmicos do Rocinha Samba-School in Rio, where she has the chance to practice her dance routines, as well as meet the samba- school´s supporters.

Rocinhas´s Muse once created an instant havoc with other Carnival beauties from Rio when she stated that all Drums Queens “hated each other.” We can surely imagine, since we know this is one of the most prestigious posts at the Carnaval of Brazil, and competition can be tough. The Brazilian model is now 28 years old, but looks far less. She has proportionate measures: 1,68 cm, 92 cm hips; and weighs 50 kilos in body full of soul and magic. In my personal opinion, Fabia is one of the most marvelous and graceful Carnival muses in Brazil! Congratulations for being a wonderful samba dancer and passionate Carnaval Queen!

Below, another interesting pose to all samba fanatics! The Goddess is wearing a butterfly costume since it´s Rocinha symbol.

Goddesses of Carnaval Fabia Borges

Below, the Queen of Drums, or in Portuguese Rainha de Bateria from Unidos da Tijuca samba School, Adriane Galisteu.

Samba historians have said that the figure of Brazilian samba muses go back to the beginning of Rio´s official Carnival celebrations. In 1950, Elvira Pagã was elected the first Rio Carnival Queen through a contest arranged by the ACC – the Carnival Journalists Association.

The Drums Queen element on the other hand, was introduced in the 1970´s, and popularized in the 1980´s. Some Carnaval historians point out that the first real Carnival Drum Queen was the Brazilian model Monique Evans, when she paraded with great sensuality, energy and passion in front of Mocidade Independente´s Drum Section, in 1985. Others still state that the first Queen of the Drums, was Nanana Meirelles, the mother of today´s President of Estação Primeira de Mangueira Samba-School.

Legendary Samba Muses include Luma de Oliveira, Luiza Brunet, Adriane Galisteu, Nana Gouvea, astonishing Juliana Paes, Thatiana Pagung, and recently Sabrina Sato, Grazi Massafera, Alessandra Mattos, Fabia Borges and glorious Viviane Araujo to name a few.

Below, all the energy and samba passion of Alessandra Mattos from Estacio de Sá Samba-School

Alessandra Mattos Muse from Estacio

Above we can see a fantastic photo of Drum Queen and Muse Alessandra Mattos in a vibrating moment at Rio de Janeiro Samba Avenue Marquês de Sapucaí, also known as Rio´s Sambadrome or Sambódromo taken Alexandre Vidal/ FOTO BR Agency: Alexandre Vidal, Ari Versiani, Fernando Azevedo, Levy Ribeiro, Luiz Alvarenga.

At BrazilCarnival.com.br, we deeply respect the impact these Muses represent at the parades in Rio and understand all their devotion to the Samba-Schools they represent. Carnaval Muses in Brazil are not objects for desire. They bring glamour, color and cultural energy to the show. We believe these wonderful women not only impress society with their exotic dances but enrich this magical festival, whether as parades high-lights-“destaques”, or in front of the Baterias, the Drums Sections

Below, one of the most astonishing muses of the Brazilian Carnival, Fabia Borges from Rocinha. As you can see, she has the power to hypnotize even the most experienced samba lover!

Every month, Brazilcarnival will pay homage to these fabulous queens and elect a Carnival Muse. Apart from posting high quality photos of these artisits we will also provide a brief biography and present their Carnaval experience. Also, we will always be adding newly elected Queens that are presented by the samba-schools and specialized media. We surely don´t want that these important figures to be forgotton in the History of samba and the Carnaval from Brazil.

Below, all the grace and beauty of Drum Queen for Vila Isabel in 2007, Adriana Perett.

When the Official Rio de Janeiro Queen and Princess Contest was over, Shayene Cesário could never imagine she would be crowned the Official Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen, winning over 12 other contenders. 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. Members of the judging panel included: Sidney Rezende, Selmynha Sorrisoz, Viviane Araújo, and actor Davi Pinheiro.

Let´s get to know this Carnival Goddess a bit more: Shayene Cesario is a 24 years old model and law student born in Rio de Janero. The lovely Brazilian brunette has indigenous, European, and Afro-Brazilian roots, which clearly constructed that extraordinary look. The Carnaval Goddess 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.

As part of her attributes of 2010 Official Rio de Janeiro Carnival Queen, Shayene Cesario will participate in a series of carnival balls, visit several samba rehearsals promoted by traditional samba schools like Unidos da Tijuca, Mangueira, together with the other members of the carnival court in Rio: Talita Martins and Suellen Pinto, the two Carnival Princesses, 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 Carnaval promotional event, the Rio de Janero Mayor hands the “city´s keys” to Carnival court and officially opens the carnival festivity.

But who said this astonishing muse is only appealing to the eyes? Shayene is finishing her Law School and will become a full lawyer in one year. The new Rio Carnival Queen 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.

To maintain the amazing fit, Shayene Cesario works out every day and also practices martial arts. Shayene Cesario 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.

I am sure the new Carnaval Queen Shayene Cesario will be one of Brazil´s 2010 next celebrity for everything she represents: her simple ways, her friendly smile, her colorful ethnic background and spontaneous personality.

Good luck in 2010 and congratulations for your samba roots!