Gracyanne Barbosa, known as the 'queen' of the União da Ilha do Governador samba school, made a notable appearance at the Série Ouro parade wearing sneakers, a choice influenced by her recent recovery from knee surgery. She explained that although she wished to wear high heels to enhance her performance, comfort was paramount due to her ongoing rehabilitation after sustaining an injury on the popular dance show 'Dança dos Famosos'.

During her interview, Gracyanne shared her feelings of happiness and relief at being able to participate in the parade just four months post-surgery, having undergone a serious procedure to repair a tendon. Her emotional connection to the school was evident, as she recounted how the community rallied around her, assuring her that she should still participate in whatever capacity possible. This support highlighted the strong bond within the samba school community.

Gracyanne mentioned the challenges she faced during her recovery, noting the process typically takes nine months, and she was only four months into it at the time of the parade. Nevertheless, her spirit remained high, and despite needing to scale back her usual samba movements, she expressed profound joy at being present, showcasing resilience and a deep commitment to her samba community.