Virginia Fonseca Crowned Queen of Grande Rio’s Bateria; Check it Out

The Saturday, 20th, was a day of celebration and anticipation at Grande Rio’s court in Duque de Caxias, in Baixada Fluminense. The samba school officially kicked off the 2026 Carnival season with the choice of the samba-enredo and the coronation of the new bateria queen, Virginia Fonseca, 26. The influencer received the sash and crown directly from the hands of Paolla Oliveira, who held the position for the last five years. For the occasion, Virginia opted for two impactful looks. First, she appeared in a top and a skirt with green and red fringes, representing the school’s colors. Shortly after, for the coronation, she wore a green dress full of fringes that shone under the stage lights. As she showed off her dancing skills, videos of the influencer quickly went viral and sparked mixed opinions on social media. In a chat with Quem magazine, Virginia revealed behind-the-scenes details. She mentioned that the outfit was not the official one for the coronation and commented on the weight of the look: ‘It’s not this one, it’s another, but [the weight] is fine. I thought it would be heavier,’ she said, referring to the costume weighing over 2 kg. When asked about her physical preparation, she was honest: ‘I haven’t had time yet, but I’ll make it happen before Carnival. And the samba is on point!’ she assured. Despite the natural nervousness, Virginia made it clear that she is ready for the challenge. ‘Today is a make-it-or-break-it situation. It’s either hit or miss… [laughs]. I’m feeling super confident, but I want to improve more before Carnival. There’s a bit of insecurity, because it’s something new, but I get very shy when I see a lot of people looking at me, I get a little tense. I feel prepared, dedicated, and ready to deliver my best. The Grande Rio community deserves it,’ she stated.