February 15, 2010
The selection of a third grader, Julia Lira, 7 year old Carnival queen, in a role usually occupied by high-heeled models and sex-symbol soap opera stars has sparked a heated debate in Brazil.
The Carnival watched over by thousands of fans and celebrities including U. S. pop star Madonna, at Rio’s Sambodrome stadium, raised a controversy over whether a small child should perform such a sexually-charged role.
Dressed in a short purple dress, a sequined halter and a silver tiara, inconsolable Lira had to be comforted by her father and other performers as the reporters threw a row of questions at her.
Her father, Marco Lira, who is also president of the Viradouro samba group, said that she cried because there were a lot of people on top of her.
Lira was given the green light to parade by a judge, after a child protection agency expressed their concern about a child performing in a sexual role and accused the samba troupe of child exploitation.
The parade had some upbeat comments from the adults. The Drum queen Adriane Galisteu who danced with a 4-month-old baby inside her womb said that she felt twice emotional.
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41-year old Militar Junior de Oliveira said, “It’s really crazy and a really strong emotion. I can’t explain it; you just have to do it”.
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