Brazil’s Carnival muse this year isn’t one of the divas or drum queens parading with the Rio de Janeiro samba schools.

Fernanda Torres becomes this year’s Carnival muse as Brazil celebrates its first Academy Award with ‘I’m Still Here’

The best international feature Academy Award for Walter Salles’ timely drama backdropped the annual celebrations and validated a political movement: “It’s hard to put into words just how big of a moment this is.

When Spanish actress Penélope Cruz announced that “I’m Still Here” was the winner of best international film at the Academy Awards, Brazilians roared at home and on the streets, where Carnival festivities have been ongoing since Saturday.

SAO PAULO — Brazil's Carnival muse this year isn’t one of the divas or drum queens parading with the Rio de Janeiro samba schools. It’s Fernanda Torres, who’s competing for the best ...

"Fernanda Torres' Impersonators", during a pre-Carnival street party where some dressed as Torres' beloved TV characters, in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

She has even inspired entire Carnival street parties paying her tribute. Last Sunday, revelers in Rio carried a banner saying “Fernanda Torres' Impersonators” while dressed as some of her belo ...

SAO PAULO — Brazil’s Carnival muse this year isn’t one of the divas or drum queens parading with the Rio de Janeiro samba schools. It’s Fernanda Torres, who’s competing for the best ...

It's Fernanda Torres, who's competing for the best actress Oscar on Sunday. The Oscars fall smack in the middle of Carnival, Brazil’s largest celebration, which runs through Tuesday.