Controversy in Brazil: Too Young to Samba.

At any given time of the year, Carnival is celebrated somewhere in the Caribbean Diaspora and beyond. In our opinion it's ALWAYS Carnival season. It's an event enjoyed by millions around the world and is planned for months and years in advance. The time, energy, and money that all go into the execution of a presentation all culminate in an explosion of culture and history. From Brazil to Trinidad, from Barbados to Haiti, from St Lucia to St Kitts and Nevis, and everywhere in between, Carnival is big business.

Rio Carnival is one of the biggest and most extravagant affairs on the planet. Traditionally Samba Schools compete against one another in a parade that seems to go on longer than the eye can see.

Click for more thorough overview of Rio Carnival

Competition is fierce.
Stakes are high. When it comes to Carnival, there are no second chances to show the
judges and the public what you're made of as you put on a world class display. Individuals who don the costumes and perform for onlookers are just as important as the floats and musicians that make up a troupe. This is especially true for the various queens of each school who are willingly thrusts into the spotlight. The responsibility of being able to handle the attention and often scrutiny of a queen is not always easy for a mature adult to shoulder. But what about a child?

The 2010 edition of Rio Carnival has brought this question to light in a glaring way as a 7-year-old girl has become the youngest drum corps queen in the samba competition. A role usually held by sensuous actresses and models has stirred up controversy, and unfortunately the young starlet was unable to handle the pressure during Monday's festivities.

Watch the video then tell us what you think. Was she simply too young to samba?

*video courtesy of the Associated Press and YouTube*