Suffice it to say Brazil has had a rollercoaster couple of years. With highs such as the Summer Olympics, to lows with the impeachment of its President and Zika virus. Yet, irrespective of these ups and downs it steadfastly celebrates its independence this week. So we steadfastly celebrate some of the Brasileiras we love.
Érika Cristiano dos Santos
This footballer from Sao Paulo currently plays for French club Paris-Saint Germain and of course the Brazilian National Team. She’s repped Brazil in 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games and 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Besides being easy on the eyes, we bet she can probably whip you and your boys on those Sunday pick up games in the park.
Izabel Goulart
Maria Izabel Goulart Dourado better known to you and me as Izabel Goulart, is probably best known for being a Victoria’s Secret Angel. But, besides having those wings she’s also graced countless magazine covers and strutted down many a runway. Speaking of runways, while many vets in the fashion game have put their runway days behind them, Goulart shows no signs of slowing down. She recently just strutted her stuff at Sao Paolo Fashion Week. Talk about staying power.
Morena Baccarin
Although this raven haired beauty is more familiar with the concrete jungle known as NYC, she was born in Rio de Janiero and also calls Brazil home. Morena is quite the accomplished actress having appeared in series such as Homeland and cult favorite Firefly, but she may be more familiar to comic-book fanboys, for her current roles as Commissioner Gordon’s love interest in Gotham, and the Merc with a Mouth’s boo in the monster hit Deadpool. Aside from the hit shows and movies she gave birth to her second child. Next up, another season of Gotham and filming the sequel to Deadpool. Do we want more Morena? Yes, please.
Jordana Brewster
This Brasileira may have gotten her start in the world of daytime soap operas, however, she quickly catapulted to the silver screen thanks to being cast in director Robert Rodriguez’s horror flick, The Faculty. Regular appearances on television mini-series’ and other films followed but she truly became a star when she appeared alongside Vin Diesel and Paul Walker in The Fast and the Furious, a movie that would make her career as she would go on to be a franchise regular. She most recently appeared on the O.J. Simpson mini-series portraying Nicole Simpson’s sister Denise and can currently be seen on the television adaptation of Lethal Weapon. This girl does fancy the adrenaline fueled material.
Lais Ribiero
This 26 year-old stunner has risen from a young single mom from Teresina, Piaui to one of the most successful and sought after models in the industry. She’s graced runways from New York to Paris and has appeared in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show five consecutive years from 2010 to 2015. She was even the most booked model at 2011 Rio Fashion Week with no less than 26 shows – talk about grind. Aside from the impeccable work ethic we just like that she continues to rep her patria with pride. Gotta’ love those Instagram posts of Lais rocking the jersey of the Brazilian National Team.
Alice Braga
Alice Braga Morales may have born into show business as the niece of actress Sonia Braga. But she’s more than made her own way. From roles in critically acclaimed indie films such as City of God, to more action oriented fare I Am Legend along side Will Smith and Robert Rodriguez Predators, Braga has shown she is quite versatile. She can currently be seen on the hit show Queen of the South, an adaptation of Arturo Perez-Reverte’s best-selling novel La Reina del Sur. It’s her first major role on American television.
Gisele Bündchen
No list of Brasileiras would be complete without the queen bee Gisele Caroline Bündchen
The world was introduced to Bündchen in the late 90’s and she quickly conquered the world of modeling and credited with ending the era of heroin chic in fashion. Off the catwalk she even lassoed Captain America himself – Tom Brady. Most recently, represented Brazil in perhaps the most visual way possible by walking down a ginormous runway in the opening ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. If that doesn’t say patria pride we don’t know what does.
Adriana Lima
If Gisele is Superman of the Brasileira universe, consider Adriana Lima it’s Batman. Just as formidable but does not adhere to convention. Lima has consistently ranked as one of the world’s top earning models, she’s walked runways for all the big names like Victoria’s Secret and Givenchy, done Super Bowl commercials and even ranked as one of the top 50 most searched for women on the Internet according to a 2010 Google survey. Yet, she certainly speaks her mind when the occasion warrants it. When asked about her views on sex she stated that “Sex is for after marriage,” Adding that “[Men] have to respect that this is my choice. If there’s no respect, that means they don’t want me.” Trust us Adriana we certainly want you!!!