Influencer Virginia Fonseca‘s recent debut as lead drummer-or rainha da bateria-for rio de Janeiro’s Grande Rio samba school sparked both excitement and online criticism. Following the mini-parade performance on Sunday, December 30th, some viewers questioned Fonseca’s samba technique, prompting a defense from her instructor. The choreographer Carlinhos Salgueiro addressed the backlash,highlighting the challenges of learning the art form and calling out the harshness of online commentary.
Samba Instructor Defends Virginia Fonseca Against Criticism Following Debut Performance
Dec 1
2025
– 2:52 PM
(updated at 2:52 PM)
Virginia Fonseca made her debut as lead drummer for Grande Rio’s mini-parade on Sunday, December 30th, at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro. The influencer quickly became the subject of online criticism, with some viewers suggesting her samba skills needed work.
Carlinhos Salgueiro, choreographer, director of Salgueiro’s passista wing, and Virginia’s samba instructor, defended his student’s performance.
“I’m very happy and fulfilled. This visibility can be scary sometimes, and people can be so cruel – it really hurts. I’m not used to it. People are very cruel, and I know so many Brazilians who can’t samba, but when people are behind a computer or phone, they feel empowered,” he said.
Salgueiro expressed disappointment that much of the criticism came from women. “They lack empathy, they lack sisterhood, they just think of themselves as internet judges. You can be sure I’m going to help her improve, and she will deliver. She was a little reserved, yes, but I believe that with time she will feel the energy of Carnival. Samba has something that no one else has. The energy of samba is surreal,” he analyzed.
He explained that learning takes time and results come gradually. “I can’t put 30 years of samba into three lessons. I have my method, she has hers, and my methodology is to bring out the best in a person so they can let loose on their own,” Salgueiro said.
He continued to defend his student. “I know many Brazilians who can’t samba, I know many Black people who can’t samba, but people on the internet feel empowered and forget that behind the artist, behind the celebrity she is, she is a mother, she is a woman. She doesn’t get upset, but it hurts. But that won’t change – the judges,” he concluded.
