Grande Rio faced several issues during its parade, resulting in booing from the audience and a confrontation between the school's president and the crew of queen Virginia Fonseca.
Grande Rio, having placed 8th and missed the champions' parade, encountered a series of problems during its performance at Sapucaí that became widely discussed on social media. Among these issues were complaints from Jayder Soares, the school's president, about delays caused by the queen of drums, Virginia Fonseca, who was engaging with fans in a live social media session. Soares's visible frustration led to tensions backstage and at the parade, with public reactions from the audience reflecting their discontent.
The situation escalated when Virginia's team and security personnel faced criticism for their handling of fan interactions, resulting in accusations of brutish behavior. This came amid reports that Virginia's costume was not adequately secured, contributing to the parade's overall negative reception. The boos directed at Grande Rio in Sector 1 indicated a lack of support from the audience, contrasting sharply with previous years when the school garnered more enthusiastic responses.
Virginia, when asked about Jayder's outburst towards her team during the live stream, maintained her composure, remarking that "what's done is done." The incident underscores the pressures of high-profile performances and the scrutiny that public figures face, especially in the vibrant environment of Brazil's Carnaval. The culmination of these events has sparked discussions regarding the management and expectations of parade performances in the future, particularly for schools aiming for a podium finish.
