Anitta invites Viviane Araújo to her Grande Rio coronation

Singer Anitta has invited Viviane Araújo to perform her coronation as the new drum queen (rainha de bateria) for the Grande Rio samba school. The ceremony is expected to take place in September in Duque de Caxias.

Anitta expressed deep admiration for Araújo, who has served as the drum queen for Salgueiro for 18 carnivals, referring to her as the “Rainha das rainhas”. The invitation was facilitated by David Brazil, who also assisted in negotiations for Anitta joining the school. Anitta’s family members, including her father Mauro and brother Felipe, also expressed support for the choice.

Virginia Fonseca, the influencer who previously held the position, will not participate in the coronation ceremony. A statement from Fonseca’s team indicated that the decision followed a request from the new queen, which the Grande Rio school chose to honor.

In preparation for the 2027 Carnival, Grande Rio will hold a final competition for its samba-enredo on the 20th. One of the competing compositions is a collaboration between Anitta and Arlindinho.