Rio de Janeiro: Rio de Janeiro's youngest Carnival queen, just seven years old, is preparing to share the limelight with pop divas Madonna and Beyonce as Brazil's annual blow-out gets under way next week.
The choice of third-grader Julia Lira to lead the drum corps for the Viradouro samba group sparked controversy and a legal challenge by a children's rights group who said she risked being sexually exploited.
The final word was left to a family court judge, who according to Brazilian media ruled on Wednesday she could join the parade. The judge's office declined to comment.
If allowed, Lira will dance through the Sambadrome stadium after midnight on Sunday cheered by thousands of fans and celebrities expected to include Madonna, who has been pictured in Rio with her 22-year-old Brazilian boyfriend.
Extra reason
In Carnival capital Rio, which has extra reason to party after being awarded the 2016 Olympics last year, masks of late US pop idol Michael Jackson have been flying off the shelves along with those of Brazilian politicians in an election year.
US R&B stars Beyonce and Alicia Keys are also in Brazil to take part in the festival before Lent that is thought to have its roots in pre-Christian spring festivals.
The two donned feathered Carnival costumes to shoot a music video in a Rio slum on Tuesday and Beyonce opened the celebrations in the northeastern city of Salvador on Wednesday night with a show in front of 45,000 people.
But it is the much younger diva who has been dominating the pre-Carnival headlines.
The selection of a tiny girl in a role usually occupied by scantily clad, high-heeled models and TV stars has sparked a heated debate, with critics saying she is too young to star in the gruelling parade.
Drum queens, chosen for their looks and samba skills, dance non-stop in front of hundreds of drummers, wearing little more than a tiny bikini, a feathered headdress and high heels.
Health consequences
With Rio sweltering through its hottest February in half a century amid temperatures well above 40 degrees Celsius, concern has also focused on the possible health consequences for a seven-year-old.
Julia's father Marco Lira, who is also president of Viradouro, has defended her selection, saying she is doing what she wants and will wear an outfit designed for children.
"No father wants to expose his daughter. She will parade because she deserves it," he told reporters on Wednesday.
