The Rio Carnival 2025 Champions Parade is set to bring back the best samba schools and their star performers for one final dazzling night at the Marquรชs de Sapucaรญ.
Among the highlights of the show are the drum queens (rainhas de bateria)โthe powerful, elegant, and charismatic women who lead the heartbeat of each schoolโs percussion section.
This year, the top six samba schools return to the avenue, each with a drum queen who has made an unforgettable mark on the crowd.
Letโs meet the queens who will once again take center stage in the Champions Parade on March 8, 2025.
Lorena Raรญssa (Beija-Flor) โ The Pregnant Queen Who Made History
The drum queen of Beija-Flor, Lorena Raรญssa, turned heads at Rio Carnival 2025, not just for her dazzling performance but for the incredible story she carriedโliterally. At just 18 years old, she took the avenue pregnant, proving that nothing could stop her from leading one of Rioโs most iconic samba schools to victory.
A Queen Born in Samba
Lorenaโs connection to Beija-Flor de Nilรณpolis runs deeper than most. Her mother was a dancer for the school, and in an almost legendary moment, she went into labor during a Beija-Flor technical rehearsal. Itโs no surprise that Lorena was destined to be part of Brazilโs greatest celebration.
Commanding the Bateria with Power and Grace
This was Lorenaโs third year leading Beija-Florโs drum section, but it was her most emotional one yet.
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- Her costume, designed to honor Afro-Brazilian culture, featured a stunning blue and silver theme with intricate beadwork.
- Despite being pregnant, her energy on the avenue was unmatched, proving why sheโs one of the most beloved queens in Carnival today.
- She set an example for young women in samba, showing that strength and femininity go hand in hand.
A Victory for Beija-Flor โ and for Women in Samba
Beija-Florโs 15th championship win was a historic moment, and Lorena was at the center of it. As the school prepares for the Champions Parade on March 8, she will once again lead the drums, carrying her unborn child and the spirit of Beija-Flor down Sapucaรญ.
Paolla Oliveira (Acadรชmicos do Grande Rio) โ A Glamorous Farewell
After seven years leading Grande Rioโs bateria, Paolla Oliveira took her final bow at Rio Carnival 2025 in style. The actress and samba icon dazzled in her โMirror of the Moonโ costume, a silver masterpiece reflecting the energy of the parade.
A Queen of Two Eras
Paolla first reigned as drum queen in 2009โ2010 but returned in 2020, bringing Grande Rio its first-ever championship in 2022. This year, she bid farewell to the Sapucaรญ runway, leaving behind a legacy of elegance and passion.
A Spectacular Last Dance
With her signature confidence, she commanded the bateria, proving why she remains one of Rioโs most beloved queens. Though stepping down, Paollaโs impact on Carnival lives on, and her final parade was nothing short of legendary.
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Maria Mariรก (Imperatriz Leopoldinense) โ The Rising Star from Complexo do Alemรฃo
A true product of the community, Maria Mariรก has been part of Imperatriz Leopoldinense since she was 9 years old. Now, as the queen of Swing da Leopoldina, she embodies the schoolโs tradition and power.
From Samba to Taekwondo
Beyond the parade, Maria is a taekwondo athlete and a Social Communication student at UFRJ. Her discipline and charisma make her a modern queen, balancing academics, sports, and samba.
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A Parade of Strength
In her third year as drum queen, Maria delivered an explosive performance, proving sheโs one of Carnivalโs brightest rising stars. As Imperatriz returns for the Champions Parade, sheโs ready to lead the beat once more.
Erika Januza (Viradouro) โ The Queen Who Brought Smoke to Sapucaรญ
For four years straight, Erika Januza has been Viradouroโs drum queen, and she knows how to command attention. This year, she took it to another level, debuting a dramatic golden costume inspired by the caracara bird.
A Parade with a Special Effect
In a moment that stunned the crowd, white smoke surrounded her as she danced, creating an unforgettable stage effect. The actress and queen once again proved that Carnival is about spectacleโand she knows how to deliver.
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Ruling Viradouroโs Drums
As Viradouro competes among the top six schools, Erika will once again own the avenue, leading the bateria with grace, power, and undeniable presence.
Bianca Monteiro (Portela) โ The Queen of Tradition
For nine years, Bianca Monteiro has been the heartbeat of Portelaโs bateria, bringing both tradition and elegance to the avenue. A true community queen, Bianca grew up in samba, first parading for Impรฉrio Serrano before finding her home at Portela.
A Queen Raised in Blue and Gold
Biancaโs father introduced her to Portela, and she never looked back. She represents not just the school but the rich history of samba itself.
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A Parade of Elegance and Power
In Rio Carnival 2025, Bianca once again shined on Sapucaรญ, leading the drums with grace and experience. As Portela returns for the Champions Parade, sheโs ready to deliver another breathtaking performance.
Evelyn Bastos (Mangueira) โ The Favela Queen Who Owns the Avenue
For 12 years, Evelyn Bastos has been the face of Mangueiraโs bateria, carrying the soul of the favela onto the grand stage of Sapucaรญ. Sheโs more than a samba queenโsheโs a symbol of strength, ancestry, and community pride.
More Than Just a Samba Icon
Evelyn embraces her roots in the North Zone, representing her people with authenticity and power. She proudly incorporates ancestral and spiritual references into her performances.
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Unmatched Energy on the Avenue
With her signature fierce style, Evelyn once again set Sapucaรญ on fire in 2025. As she prepares for the Champions Parade, one thing is certainโMangueiraโs beat will pulse stronger than ever under her command.
FAQs
1. What is the Champions Parade, and how is it different from the main parade?
The Champions Parade is the final showcase of Rio Carnival, held after the competition. Unlike the main parade, where samba schools compete for the title, the Champions Parade is a non-competitive celebration, featuring the top six schools that received the highest scores. It allows them to parade once more without the pressure of judging, focusing purely on spectacle and celebration.
2. How are samba schools judged in the main competition?
Samba schools are evaluated on ten different criteria, including theme interpretation, costumes, floats, samba song, harmony, and bateria performance. Each school must tell a cohesive story through its parade, and any mistakeโlike a delay or disorganized choreographyโcan cost crucial points. The results determine which six schools advance to the Champions Parade.
3. What are the most expensive Carnival costumes, and how much do they cost?
The most extravagant costumes are often worn by highlight dancers and main performers, with prices ranging from R$20,000 to R$200,000 (around $4,000 to $40,000 USD).
These outfits are handmade with luxurious materials like feathers, sequins, Swarovski crystals, and custom embroidery, taking months to create.
Regular participants in the parade can purchase more affordable costumes for R$800 to R$3,000 ($160 to $600 USD).
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4. Can tourists participate in the parade, or is it only for samba school members?
Yes! Tourists can join the parade by purchasing a costume from a samba school and following their assigned section.
Schools sell spots to the public as a way to fund their preparations, allowing visitors to experience the thrill of parading down Sapucaรญ alongside seasoned performers. However, spaces are limited and must be booked months in advance.
Last Words
Rio Carnival 2025 is all about samba, passion, and spectacle. The Champions Parade brings back the best schools for one last night, where the drums roar, the queens shine, and the crowd goes wild. The party never really stopsโit just takes a break until next year.
