‘Butt Queen’ among Brazilian political hopefuls

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The United States may have trailblazed the elevation of celebrities to politics (Ronald Reagan, Arnold Schwarzenegger), but Brazil is taking the concept to new heights.

Folha de S. Paulo reports that prospective 2008 candidates in various races include a diverse potpourri of TV personalities, ex-soccer stars and hipsters, most on the downside of their careers but still boasting that all-important attribute: name recognition.

A few would-be pols:

— Gretchen, a.k.a. ‘Butt Queen,’ veteran chanteuse famed for her derriere-shaking renditions of popular tunes like ‘Freak Le Boom Boom.’ She has since evolved into a ‘mature’ porn star.

— Former teen-singing sensation Rafael Ilha, now a recovering addict.

— Ronaldo Esper, famed bridal gown designer to the rich, who had a spot of bad luck when arrested for allegedly stealing flower vases from a cemetery. He said he was just tidying up and was acquitted.

— Sabrina Sato, ex-contestant in the ‘Big Brother’ television series.

— Renata Banhara, who gained fame for her bikini-clad, pseudo-wrestling matches with celebrities in hot tubs.

All that is not to say Brazilian politics are being cheapened, a contention that has surfaced from time to time, notably when ex-representative Angela Guadagnin broke into her ‘pizza dance’ in the House of Deputies after a colleague was cleared of corruption charges.

Vowed Roberto Freire, president of the Popular Socialist Party (PPS): ‘The PPS will not have pizza dances.’

Posted by Marcelo Soares in São Paulo and Patrick J. McDonnell in Buenos Aires