Royal Cut 2026: defined LGBT+ finalists in night of celebration of diversity

This Thursday (16) was held the first day of the semifinals, dedicated to the choice of LGBT+ representatives in the royalty of the Rio carnaval, on a night marked by presentations, diversity and celebration. With 19 candidates for Muso, 12 for Musa and 10 for Non-Binary Person, the event promoted a fierce dispute, with the right to many stories, experiences, expressions and, of course, samba in the foot. Organized by the Riotur and recognized, for the third consecutive year, as part of the Royal Court, the dispute focused on the LGBT+ community has again proved itself a space of freedom and resistance.

Among the postulants of the day, the candidates for Muso were classified Fabio Molejo (2), Lucas Matheus (4), Lucas Valentine (3), Marcelo Mariano (10) and Wenderson Caesar (5); candidates for Musa Bianca Mourão (9), Eloa Rodrigues (11), Julia Rocha (4), Mikaella Sadalla (8) and Viviane Carvalho (6); and candidates for Non-Binary Person Caio Augusto (5), Tijuca United Daguinho (19), Johnn Smile (1), Luis Otavio (13) and Vitor Junior (9). The 15 candidates will compete for the grand final on Thursday the 23rd.

As in previous days, the performance was on account of the duo Wilson Neto, King Momo of 2022, and Bianca Monteiro, drums queen of Portela. The juror bank had distinguished presences, such as Myrella Matos, of the coordinator of sexual diversity of Rio; Dayvison Gomes, ambassador of Rio Carnaval; Edu Guimarães, journalist and communication coordinator of Som Livre; George Louzada, artistic director of Youth; Rafaela Bastos, geographer and public manager; and Samile Cunha, costume designer, drag queen and teacher. The vice president of Riotur Luís Monsores and the director of operations Flavio Teixeira were also on the table.

In addition to the contest, the event was filled with special presentations: the musical group Sapagode, exclusively made up of samba musicians, opened the night with lots of animation and powerful speeches. Then, Grande Rio, Caxias champion school, took the force of Baixada Fluminense to the stage, in a beautiful show of dancers and costumes. The group Rio Samba Show animated the night with its rhythmists and, before closing, the artist and drag queen Karoline Absinthe performed very creatively, uniting all her talent, good humor and charisma with a good performance of lip sync (lip sync) with great classics of dance tracks.

The evening honored a great name in the history of the carnaval: Maria Augusta, carnival that was part of the aesthetic revolution of the Willow in the 1960s, and the rise of the Union of the Island with the parades “Sunday” (1977) and “The Tomorrow” (1978). Mary died in July 2025 at the age of 83. In an improvised way, the party was launched with a vogue dispute, a kind of dance and parade battle, summoned and coordinated by Milton Cunha, who raised the public just before the announcement of the finalists.

“ The beauty of the world is each being what you desired and dreamed for yourself. Don't be afraid to ask people you don't read right away: ‘How do you want to be treated, treated? How do I talk to you?’ You learn by living and you learn by asking. So he had a dead name and now he's got a social name by law. So let’s respect the decisions,” Milton said.

Every day of the Court is broadcast live on Youtube, via the official channel of Riotur and Yellow Tape.

Check out the calendar of the Royal Cut Contest Carnaval:

Day 17/10 – Semifinal (King and Queen)

Day 23/10 – Final LGBT+ (Museum, Muse and Non-Binary Person)

Day 24/10 – Final (King and Queen)

Check out the programme of tributes and full shows:

Day 17/10 (Rosa Magellan) – Prosa Lady, Willow, Terreiro de Creoulo and Rio Samba Show

Day 23/10 (Black Gil) – Samba That They Want, Empress, Maime of the Brightness, Karina Karão and Sambay

Day 24/10 (Arlindo Cruz, Bira Presidente, Gilsinho da Portela and previous honorees) – Quintal da Magia, Kiss-Flor and Arlindinho

Service:

Carnaval Royal Cut Competition 2026

Dates: 17, 23 and 24/10

Timetable: From 7 pm

Location: R. Rivadavia Corrêa, 60 – Holy Christ (Cidade do Samba)

Ticket: Free entry

Best way to get there: VLT – Line 1 (Santos Dumont x Terminal Gentleza). Just land at station Cidade do Samba/Tia Ciata

Learn more: Second day of the Royal Court's qualifiers 2026 was surrounded by much excitement and exciting moments