Between the microphone and the avenue, Malu Xavier has been building a career marked by passion, dedication, and versatility. A reporter for Cineplaneta for three years and an active member of the carnival scene for six, she has established herself as a dancer for important samba schools and now celebrates a new achievement by being announced as Princess of the Cortejo Carioca for 2027. In an interview, Malu talks about the connection between communication and samba, the challenges of balancing different aspects of her career, and the growth of a trajectory that has transformed her into one of the promising names of the new generation of Rio’s Carnival.
You managed to combine two very strong passions in your life: communication and samba. At what point did you realize that you didn’t want to choose between these two worlds, but to live both with the same intensity?
I realized very early on that communication and samba spoke to the same thing within me: connection with people. When I have a microphone in my hand or when I’m on the avenue, I’m expressing myself, telling a story, and conveying emotion. For a while, I thought I would have to choose one path, but I understood that I would be happier living both intensely, because one complements the other.
Her relationship with Carnival began long before her current visibility. How would the girl who entered this world six years ago feel seeing Malu today, occupying so many spaces inside and outside the parade route?
I think that six-year-old girl from yesterday would feel proud, but also emotional, to realize that it all started with a true love for samba. Nothing happened overnight. It took years of learning, dedication, and commitment. Seeing the Malu of today occupying spaces on the avenue, in communication, and in important projects shows that it was worth believing in dreams even when they seemed distant.
Portela seems to hold a very special emotional weight in your journey, from Filhos da Águia to the passista wing of the official school. What does this connection with the blue and white of Madureira represent for you?
Portela represents belonging in my life. It’s where I grew up, learned, matured, and lived very special moments. From Filhos da Águia to the passista wing of the official school, I’ve built bonds that go beyond Carnival. The blue and white of Madureira is part of my history, my identity, and my heart.
You also parade for other samba schools, such as Rosa de Ouro and Em Cima da Hora, demonstrating a tremendous dedication to samba. What changes in you with each new samba school, each community, and each experience?
Each samba school transforms me in a different way. Being in schools like Rosa de Ouro and Em Cima da Hora allows me to live new experiences, get to know other communities, and learn different ways to love samba. In each place, I leave a little of myself and also take a little of that energy with me.
Today you move between the Sapucaí (Sambadrome), advertising campaigns, and your work as a reporter. How do you build such a multifaceted identity without losing your essence in each of these spaces?
Building this multifaceted identity requires balance and a lot of honesty. In all these spaces, I try to be the same Malu: spontaneous, dedicated, and passionate about what I do. Whether it’s at the Sapucaí (Sambadrome), in advertising campaigns, or working as a reporter, I believe people notice when you’re being authentic. I think my essence lies precisely in this desire to live everything intensely without ceasing to be who I am.
Your promotion from Muse to Princess of the Carioca Carnival Parade seems to symbolize more than just a title; it’s almost a recognition of your presence, charisma, and connection with the public. What has this new position awakened in you?
Being promoted from Muse to Princess of the Carioca Carnival Parade had a very special meaning for me. Of course, the title is emotional, but the most important thing was feeling this recognition for the affection, dedication, and connection I built with the public and the people around me. This new position has brought me even more responsibility and a desire to continue evolving.
There’s a very strong image of you with a microphone in your hand, also “singing the pavement” on the avenue. What does communication give you that samba doesn’t, and what does samba give you back that no other area can?
Communication gives me a voice. It allows me to hear stories, exchange experiences, and reach people in a very direct way. Samba, on the other hand, gives me back something that’s hard to even explain: belonging, emotion, and freedom. When I’m on the avenue, it feels like everything makes sense. Samba has a unique energy that strengthens me and connects me with my roots.
You’ve been attracting attention as a promising name for future carnivals. When you think about the future, what mark do you most want to leave: that of a samba dancer, a communicator, an influencer, or precisely that of a woman who managed to be all of those things at the same time?
When I think about the future, I don’t want to be remembered only for one title. I want to leave the mark of a woman who managed to live several dreams without having to abandon any of them. The samba dancer, the communicator, and the influencer are all part of the same person. I want to inspire other girls to understand that they too can occupy different spaces while being authentic and true to their own essence.
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