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RIO DE JANEIRO — She is the Shirley Temple of samba, a 7-year-old named to a coveted Carnival role normally reserved for barely clad models.
Naming Julia Lira as drum corps queen for the Viradouro samba group is raising eyebrows even in a city that has seen everything during the annual mega-party, which begins next week.
A judge is considering blocking Julia’s participation. A state agency that defends children’s rights says she is too young to take on a traditionally sexy role. But the girl’s father, who happens to be the president of the Viradouro group, says Julia is a natural.
