They’re calling her the “Shirley Temple Of Samba,” but 7-year-old Julia Lira is stirring up controversy in her native Brazil after being christened the coveted Queen in this year’s Carnival in Rio De Janeiro — a role traditionally reserved for barely- clad twentysomethings.
A state agency that defends children’s rights says she’s too young to take on such a sexy gig. But Julia’s dad insists his little dancer can easily samba through the 80-minute parade route in sweltering temperatures.
After all, she’s a natural, says Marco Lira.
“Any man who looks at a 7-year-old child and feels any sort of excitement should go see a doctor….She has the aptitude to be a drum corps queen – you’ll see it tonight. She has a seriousness inside of her when she is on the stage.”