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O Rio Carnival It has always been a stage of tradition and ancestry, but behind the scenes of 2026, a new term took over the conversations: the “nepo babies” of samba. The new generation of leaders, made up of children and grandchildren of historical figures, took charge of Rio’s festivities once and for all, proving that the surname continues to be the most valuable passport in the Marquês de Sapucaí.
Currently, highly influential positions in the Independent League of Samba Schools (Liesa) and in the board of directors of the Special Group associations are occupied by young people who inherited not only the passion for samba, but also the political command of the institutions.
Liesa’s New Summit
The command of the maximum entity of the Rio Carnival reflects this generational transition:
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Gabriel David: Son of Aniz Abraão David (Anísio), Gabriel is today the president of Liesa, bringing a business and technological vision to the fashion shows.
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John Drummond: Grandson of the historic Luizinho Drumond, João is the financial director of the League. He also holds the vice-presidency of Imperatriz Leopoldinense, a school presided over by his mother, Cátia Drumond.
Power in Samba Schools
The family succession is also clear in the associations competing for the 2026 title:
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Unidos do Viradouro: Marcelinho Calil serves as executive director of the Niterói school. He is the son of Marcelo Calil Petrus (Marcelon) and grandson of Antônio Petrus Kalil, Turcão, a central figure in the association’s history.
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Independent Youth: Amid legal turmoil, command of Padre Miguel’s Estrela Guia passed into the hands of Gustavo de Andrade. The young man, nicknamed “prince”, took on the mission of reorganizing the school while his father, patron Rogério Andrade, remains away.
Renewal or Continuity?
The presence of these heirs in the Rio Carnival divides opinions. If, on the one hand, critics point to the concentration of power in a few families, on the other, defenders of the new management highlight the professionalization and modernization of the parades. With heavy investments in technology and marketing, these new leaders seek to ensure that the greatest show on Earth continues to be profitable and relevant in the digital age.
Regardless of the criticism, one thing is certain: the 2026 parades show that, in Sapucaí, blue blood (or any other pavilion color) speaks louder when it comes to management and power.
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Written by: ContilNet
