Samba teacher Virginia evaluates her performance in class

Virginia Fonseca is determined to cross the Sabukay with charisma and a lot of samba at Carnival 2026. However, before the big day, the influencer remains immersed in an intense routine of preparation for the Grande Rio mini-parade, scheduled to take place on Sunday (30), at the Cidade do Samba, in Rio de Janeiro.

To become sharp in front of the drums, Virginia has already taken lessons with Lucien Santinha, a dancer at the school, and now she devotes herself to personal training with choreographer Carlinhos Salguero.

“She is a hurricane really, right, and when you are close you understand the dimensions of things more, and they are much bigger than you can imagine. It is not surprising that she is where she is today, and you can also be sure that it is because of a lot of work because she works very hard and that is what caught my attention,” says Carlinhos, touched by the dedication of the new queen of drums.

According to him, the public response has been more encouraging. “The repercussions have been very positive, Santinha has done a very good job and now it is time to continue and focus on working and achieving more and more results. Our desire is all the same, which is for her to shine on the street and transmit this good energy that she has,” he adds.

Carlinhos, 52, has a strong samba career: he started at the Academicos do Salguero children’s school, and today works as director and choreographer of Basista Suites. He says the rhythm of training with Virginia is at a professional level.

“We work hard, it’s an intense two hours. She’s very loyal and I’m trying to give her another world, right? It’s very different from the things she’s used to doing, but she’s always in a very good mood. We’re getting to know each other, and we’re in the process. She’s very funny, very loyal,” he says.