Celebrity muses talk about the pressure to samba: 'It's fair, the schools deserve respect'
Famous figures invited to parade as muses during Rio's carnival are increasingly pressured to perform well and commit to rehearsals.
Every carnival season, the pressure increases on invited celebrities to perform in parades, particularly as 'muses' at Rio de Janeiro’s Marquês de Sapucaí. These muses face expectations not just in terms of samba skill but also in maintaining a presence at rehearsals, reflecting the growing prominence of talented women from the community who are gaining visibility through viral social media content. The public scrutiny on these celebrity figures is heightened as they struggle to meet the high standards set by both organizers and fans.
Salgueiro, one of the prominent samba schools, features a notable lineup of celebrities, including Lívia Andrade, Gkay, Bruna Griphao, Cintia Dicker, and Mulher Melão, among others, all set to participate in the upcoming 'Sábado das Campeãs'. Bruna Griphao, who recently transitioned from spectator to muse, expressed her feelings about the demands placed on them, emphasizing the fairness of such expectations given the significant role that samba schools play in the culture and community.
The arrival of social media as a platform for showcasing samba rehearsals has shifted the landscape substantially, with local girls from samba schools gaining fame while their celebrity counterparts must strive harder to capture attention. This dynamic illustrates not only the competitive nature of carnival but also highlights the cultural merit involved in performance obligations. At the heart of this discussion is a respect for the samba schools' heritage and the acknowledgment of the commitment required from both local talents and celebrities alike to maintain the carnival's vibrancy and tradition.