During the Rio Carnival parade on February 16, 2026, Evelyn Bastos, the queen of the Mangueira samba school’s drum section, celebrated her 13th year in this prominent role. Reflecting on her journey, she emphasized the importance of recognizing queens from local communities, noting that it took her until her sixth year to gain media attention due to her non-celebrity status at the time. Bastos praised schools like Beija Flor, Tuiuti, and Salgueiro for their recent acknowledgment of community queens, stating, “The queen represents the school’s image to the public.”
Bastos highlighted the significance of community representation in the carnival, asserting that the queen embodies the school’s spirit and message. She expressed admiration for the increasing recognition of queens from local backgrounds, which she believes is a crucial development in the carnival scene.
Discussing her approach to performances, Bastos mentioned her dedication to respecting religious themes when they are part of the parade’s narrative. This year, Mangueira’s theme focused on the story of Mestre Sacaca, known as the “Guardian of the Black Amazon,” which she approached with reverence.
