Made in Brazil

Olympic Husbands

The Brazilian men's volleyball team lost the Olympic gold medal to the US yesterday, but when it comes to hotness there is nothing silver about players Samuel and André Heller.

I think I may need to start watching more volleyball.

Brazil's First Gold In Beijing

César Cielo became the first Brazilian to win an Olympic swimming gold medal by winning the men's 50-meter freestyle this morning. He won in 21.30 seconds, lowering his own Olympic record of 21.34 set in the semifinals.

Cielo's gold medal was the country's first at the Beijing Olympic Games. Watch him win gold in the video below.

He also won the bronze medal in the 100-meter freestyle.

Olympic Moment From The Water Cube

While Michael Phelps keeps on breaking records in Beijing, César Cielo won the bronze medal in the 100m freestyle and became the first Brazilian to win an Olympic swimming medal in 12 years.

Olympic Moment

Tiago Camilo conquered another bronze medal in judo for Brazil today.

It is a shame to think that a country the size of Brazil only has three Olympic medals so far.

Olympic Moment

Lightweight Leandro Guilheiro made history this morning by winning a bronze medal in judo, and becoming the country's first judo fighter to win medals in two consecutive Olympics Games (he won bronze in Athens four years ago).

How cute his he? His medal is also the country's second in the Beijing Olympics so far. (Image Source)

Olympic Spirit

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games kick off on Friday, and Globo had the lovely idea of inviting a few Brazilian athletes to blog about their Olympic experience. My favorite on their list of bloggers is heavyweight judo fighter João Gabriel Schlittler. From the pictures below you can clearly see why.

For more pictures of the Brazilian judo practice, visit Blog dos Atletas.

The soccer team is also practicing, and even though the players have not been given a blog, am sure pictures of them will not be scarce. These are my favorite shots from yesterday in Shenyang. Love the team spirit.

And as if that wasn't good enough, Nova magazine shot three Olympians shirtless for its latest issue.

It is already shaping up to be one hot Olympic year.

Gearing Up For Beijing

Swimmers César Cielo and Thiago Pereira practicing for the Olympics in Macau over the weekend.

More pictures of the Brazilian swimmers over at UOL.

Diego Hypolito On His Way To Beijing

Diego Hypolito is the biggest Brazilian hope when it comes to men's gymnastics at the upcoming 2008 Olympic games, especially on the floor exercise. Globo Esporte spent a day with him, and you can watch some of his daily training routine on the video below.

More pictures of Diego at Globo Esporte.

A Semana: Menswear Shows, Nadal, The Sticky & Sweet Tour, And Roisin Murphy

New York magazine takes a look at the most amazing looks from the spring 2009 menswear shows, and photographer JD Ferguson shares his favorite backstage moments.

The Spanish soccer team poses shirtless for Nike.

Nadal dethroned five-time Wimbledon champion Federer yesterday.

Has Lindsay Lohan really confirmed her gay relationship with Samantha Ronson?

Brazilian dates have not been announced yet for Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour, but Drowned Madonna already has some updates on the rehearsals and the rumored video with Britney.

The cover art for Christopher Ciccone's Life With My Sister Madonna was unveiled today, along with more details on the book.

Following Madonna and U2's footsteps, Shakira signed a $70 million dollar deal with Live Nation.

Watch Roisin Murphy's new video for Movie Star, and Martin Solveig's video for C'est La Vie.

A Semana: The First National Gay Conference, Models, And The Olympics In Rio

The new issue of Brazilian Key magazine brings jewelry designer Philip Crangi butt naked, photographed in New York by Marcelo Krasilcic.

Model Mariacarla Boscono will be landing in Rio next week. She has been confirmed for three shows at Fashion Rio: Carlos Tufvesson, Lenny, and Espaço Fashion. Models Natasha Poly, Yana Karpova, Jill Bowens, and Chloé Bello, will also be seen in the Brazilian runways this season.

After booking the fall Prada campaign, newcomer Luiz Afonso is working on an exclusivity deal for São Paulo Fashion Week.

The Armani Exchange store in West Hollywood celebrates Pride window full of half naked models.

Designer John Bartlett will celebrate the launch of his spring 2008 ad campaign shot by Greg Vaughan next Friday, June 13th, at his store in the West Village.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva kicked off the first National Gay, Lesbians, And Transexuals Conference yesterday in Brasília. In his speech, the President claimed to empathize with the gay movement, and to have also been a victim of prejudice. "No one asks about your sexual preference when you are paying your taxes, so why should people have the right to tell you what to do with your own body?", said Lula, who would have been better off saying "sexual orientation" as opposed to "preference." The main objective of the conference is to pass the law that qualifies homophobia as a crime on federal level.

After three unsuccessful bids, Rio de Janeiro has been selected as one of the candidate cities to host the 2016 Olympics, along with Chicago, Tokyo, and Madrid. If selected, Rio would be the first South American city to get the Olympics.

Surfing In Style

The new issue of Brazilian TRIP magazine features a very cool editorial with celebrities and models who surf shot Murilo Meirelles. The list includes actor Cauã Reymond, as well as models Bernardo Braga, William Hunstock, and Caio Vaz.

That is the kind of work I would also like to eventually see in Brazilian gay magazines. Visit TRIP magazine for the complete edit.

Gymnast Or Skater Boy?

Top Brazilian gymnast Diego Hypólito took a break from his training yesterday to go skating in Leblon.

With the Olympics are around the corner, I hope that one of the gay magazines in the country will do a sexy spread on him. It's about time. (Image Source)

Beckham Hands It To Pelé

Beckham present Brazilian Pelé with a lifetime achievement award last night in New York at a charity event in support of Harlem Youth Soccer.

The Elite Squad Is The New Rugby Team

Someone should tape this: the famous Bope officers are now practicing rugby at the beach in Flamego and Leme every other week. The Elite Squad of Rio's military police is putting together a rugby team to diversify training of its officers, and to compete in the rugby championships in the city. According to G1, the Bope signed a partnership with the Brazilian Rugby Association yesterday as an example of what happens in England.

Things to think about: how was I unaware that there was a Brazilian Rugby Association? And why did I not know that Rio had rugby championships? I need to investigate.

The Beckham Show Continues

David Beckham ditched the suit he wore yesterday morning in Natal for a more comfortable and weather appropriate attire to play ball at the beach in the afternoon.

UPDATE: click here for a video of Beckham talking about his project in Brazil.

The Best Players In The World

Yesterday in Zurich Kaká became the fifth Brazilian to win the prestigious FIFA World Player of the Year award, beating Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the title. On the women's side, Marta won the FIFA title for the second year in a row.

This was the first time in FIFA's history in which the top awards went to two players from the same country.

A Semana: Isabeli's Comeback, The Best Swimmer Of 2007, Condom Machines, And Movies

A year after giving birth to her second child, Isabeli Fontana is making a big comeback this season: she booked the Victoria's Secret show, stars in the current lingerie campaign for H&M, booked the next issue of Numero shot by Greg Kadel, and will appear in a 20-page spread in the next Vogue Paris shot by Peter Lindbergh.

Forget about naked models and designers, the next issue of Visionaire will be devoted to your senses. The new Visionaire Sound will come with five 12-inch vinyls and 2 CDs in a limited edition of 4,000 copies, at a price tag of $250.

The latest issue of Flaunt magazine celebrates 25 years of Calvin Klein underwear with a spread featuring some of the hottest male models around, such as Garret Neff and Brazilian Romulo Pires.

Thiago Pereira is voted best swimmer of the year by the readers of Swimming World , beating Michael Phelps.

Unique and affordable destination: Fernando de Noronha gets reviewed by The Today Show.

Vegas in São Paulo is going to be the first club in the city to feature a condom machine available on premises. In a pioneer project in the country in the fight against AIDS and STDs, club goers will no longer have to worry about having condoms or lube on them in case they get lucky. The machines will be installed in several gay and straight clubs throughout the city.

The controversial Brazilian movie Tropa de Elite may not have been selected to represent the country at next year's Academy Awards, but its Oscar hopes are not over yet: with an American debut set for next year, director José Padilha is intent on having his picture run for the main Oscar categories in 2009, as an example of what happened with City Of God.

Who knew there was a movie adaptation of Cleopatra in Brazil? It took home the award for best film at Brasília's Film Festival this week, but the audience apparently did not agree with the choice. Director Julio Bressane was booed during his acceptance speech. I can only imagine how bad it sucks.

I absolutely love this screentest Natalie Portman just did for the New York Times.

Dancing With Helio Castroneves

As much as I appreciate Dancing With The Stars, it has never been a show that I followed, especially now that I am in Brazil and my access to American television is mostly determined by what is available on iTunes and YouTube. That said, I did not follow the path that lead Brazilian race-car driver Helio Castroneves to victory last night, when he beat out Spice Girl Melanie Brown and Marie Osmond for the prized mirror ball trophy, but I did get tons of emails this morning letting me know all about it.

Castroneves and his dance partner Julianne Hough opted to revisit their quick step for the final, which earned them perfect marks. In the end though it was the viewer votes that allowed them to take home the trophy. It was the second consecutive win for Julianne, who won last season’s show with speed skater Apolo Ohno. Watch the couple dance the jive here, and their big win here.

Momento Futebol

The Brazilian team practiced yesterday for today's match against Uruguay in São Paulo.

Nothing like a good set of legs. Let's hope the team does a better job today than it did in Lima this past Sunday, when it dropped to the third place in the South American World Cup qualifying tournament.

A Semana: 007, Beckham, And The Out 100

007 Daniel Craig tops the Best Celeb Bodies poll by a British fitness firm.

Talking about Bond, Daniel Craig is reportedly hand-picking his Bond girls for the new 007 film, due out at the end of next year. There will be four girls, all of whom will look Latin-American. Brazilian actress Cleo Pires has already auditioned for a role.

David Beckahm has been signed as the global face (and body) of Emporio Armani underwear. The ad campaign was shot by Mert & Marcus.

Designers Viktor & Rolf take on rosé champagne.

Brazilian streetwear label Zapping will develop a small collection of clothing in partnership with band Cansei de Ser Sexy (or CSS).

Out magazine unveiled this year's Out 100 with a party at Cipriani Wall Street last Friday, honoring singer Annie Lennox with a "Humanitarian of the Year" award. This is the first time in the history of the Out 100 issue in which all pictures featured were shot exclusively for the magazine.

Check out another excerpt from the hot Dieux Du Stade 2008 DVD Making Of, with sexy rugby player Julien Arias (warning: semi-NSFW).

Take a look at the full spread with Raquel Zimmermann on the 50th issue of V magazine. Amazing.

Momento Futebol In Vancouver

The exhibition soccer match between the LA Galaxy and the Whitecaps in Vancouver last night was all about Beckham and a streaker who leaped on the pitch, and ran naked around the field on the second half. More pictures here.

Learn To Surf In Floripa

Lately I have been bombarded with emails about Floripa as many of you seem interested in heading there in the next couple of months. While I am putting together a guide with bars, restaurants, and hotels to make your life easier, I decided to suggest surfing lessons as an alternative to all the late-night parties.

I have been thinking about learning to surf for a while now, and recently found out Floripa has a great program for that at Brazil Surf Camp. I figured I would post about it as there are probably a few of you who would like to embark on a surf camp in the south of Brazil as well.

I can't say much about my personal experience with the program as I have not yet been able to take a week off and devote it to surfing, but the packages listed on the website look like a good deal to me. And if a week is too long for you, there are also weekend packages with accommodations at Mole Beach Park Hotel, meals, and four hours of daily surf lessons, which could be a good way to get your body in shape for Carnival.

For more information, visit Brazil Surf Camp. I am now trying to get together a few friends to go with me to take advantage of the special group rates.

Momento Futebol

So much love: Ronaldinho, Robinho, and Kaká, celebrating Brazil's 5 x 0 victory against Equator last night. Images via UOL.

Last Night I Fell In Love

With Feliciano Lopez. Just how freaking hot is he?

All that and he even managed to beat Federer on the first set last night. Federer will now face Andy Roddick on the quarterfinals. I watched both of them at the finals last year, and it was an amazing match.

BTW, I really miss not going to the US Open this year. On TV there are no shirt changes, and no frozen pina coladas to drink during the matches.

Running In Rio

The Half-Marathon in Rio took place yesterday morning, and thanks to Marcelo we have some inspirational pictures.

Brazilianizing "Dancing With The Stars"

Gisele is not going to be dancing on ABC this season as rumored, but another Brazilian will: two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves was confirmed yesterday on the upcoming Dancing with the Stars lineup. He will be paired with professional dancer Julianne Hough, who won last year's title with speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno.

Too Cute (And Short) For Monday: Felipe Massa

Call me crazy, but I think that F-1 driver Felipe Massa happens to be really cute. The Brazilian won the Turkish Grand Prix yesterday for the second year in a row. More pictures of his victory at UOL.

A Semana: Stepmom Bündchen, Britney, And More On Gay Soccer

La Bündchen just became a stepmom: Tom Brady's ex Bridget Moynahan gave birth to a baby boy. Apparently Gisele sent the little outfit on the right as a gift to the newborn (yes, it does say supermodel below the bar code).

There have been rumors going around today that Gisele and Tom Brady were getting hitched in November, but her rep has reported that the model is not getting married anytime soon.

Britney Spears is out with a new track called Baby Boy. Warning: track may harm your hearing.

If you remember Vanessa Carlton's video for A Thousand Miles, you will certainly appreciate the intro to her new video for Nolita Fairytale.

Singer Cindy Lauper cancelled her concert in São Paulo in October.

Over 300 gay-related events will take place in Brazil until the end of the year, a number 68% bigger than last year's. Considering I hear about a new Pride parade every weekend in this country, I am not surprised.

With so many issues in the country lately regarding gays and soccer, it is interesting that to note that the Brazilian Soccer Federation used São Paulo Gay Pride on their bidding war for the 2014 World Cup. The parade was listed as an example of the country's capability of organizing a large event in the video sent to FIFA.

Brazil is not sending any teams to represent the country at the Buenos Aires Gay Word Cup of soccer because of lack of sponsorship.

Model Flavia de Oliveira does the Gap.

The autobiography of Dener, the first Brazilian larger-than-life designer and couturier, was republished this month, and the book is (once again) getting a lot of buzz. I am curious to read it.

Speedo break: Big Brother Brazil winner Diego hits the beach with his niece.

A Semana: Richarlysongate, New Videos, Fall Fashions, And Brazilian Day

On another turn of the gay soccer case also known as Richarlysongate, the player is now asking for R$ 300K for moral damages to Palmeiras executive José Cyrillo Júnior, who stated in June that Richarlyson was gay during a debate on live TV. Richarlyson recently said that he is pursuing the case in an attempt to fight prejudice at soccer. If that is the case, then how about donating the money to several gay rights institutions?

Photographer Cristiano, famous for his work for Terra's The Boy, will be opening his first solo exhibit in São Paulo at Galeria Mezanino this Tuesday. The show is on display until September 8, and admission is free, so make sure to check it out.

The Freemasons will be playing Rio on October 13 during Gay Pride weekend.

Actor Gael Garcia Bernal will land in São Paulo this October to promote his upcoming movie El Pasado, directed by Hector Babenco.

With extras dressed as pimps and prostitutes, J. Lo shot the video for her new single Do It Well last week in Los Angeles, with photographer and director David LaChapelle.

Annie Lenox debuted her Dark Road video today on Amazon.

Baby I swear it's déjà vu: Lil' Mo does Beyoncé.

New York magazine is out with its Fall Fashion Issue, and a very interesting article with Kris Van Assche on his debut at Dior Homme.

Teen magazine Capricho is electing the cutest male model. Needless to say, Brazilians Evandro Soldati and André Ziehe are on the lead.

My Brazilian fashion friends over at Gema TV have taken over Tokyo.

The 23rd Annual Brazilian Day in New York is scheduled for Sunday, September 2. Attractions for this year's festival on 46th street include Jota Quest, Asa de Aguia, and Bruno and Marone.

A Semana: Gay Soccer Controversy, Rainbow Fest, Ad Campaigns, And Brazilian Choppers

Maximiano Junqueira Filho, the judge responsible for the homophobic remarks about soccer player Richarlyson's case, will have to defend himself in court, and explain what lead him to dismiss the case for such erratic reasons. He is currently on a leave of absence, and risks losing his title.

The 10th Annual Rainbow Fest in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, started last night and goes on until Sunday. Tomorrow night a special edition of X-Demente will take over club Privilège, and on Saturday 100,000 people are expected to attend the Juiz de Fora Gay Pride Parade. The famous Miss Brasil Gay pagent will also take place on Saturday.

São Paulo's all-girls party Chá com Bolachas heads to club Boomerangue in Salvador this Saturday.

As The World Turns is set to feature daytime's first gay teenage kiss tomorrow.

Singer Darren Hayes talks to Arjan in this week's Next magazine.

Heidi Klum sports nothing but jeans and a whip for the new Jordache ads.

While I was busy shooting hot models in Copacabana this past Tuesday, Michael Roberts was also shooting in Rio. He photographed the new spring ad campaign for beachwear label Lenny with model Guisela Rein at Niterói's Teatro Popular, and at an abandoned chocolate factory.

Actress and girl-of-the-moment Camila Pitanga stars in the new Cori campaign, photographed at the Copacabana Palace by Brazilian Vicente de Paulo.

The third edition of the REtalhar exhibit at Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil opened in Rio this past Tuesday. It features designs of the likes of Alexandre Herchcovitch, Lenny, Carlos Miele, and jeweler Antonio Bernardo, developed by hand by artisans from Rocinha through the COOPA-ROCA project. The exhibit runs until September 16.

The Orange County Choppers have been invited to come to Brazil early next month to design a bike inspired by Brasília and the 100 years of architect Oscar Niemeyer. The result will be showcased at this year's Brazilian Music Festival Moto.

A Semana: VMA Nominees, Madonna, The Brazilian Film Festival, Underwear, And Homophobia

To the left, to the left: Beyoncé scored a nomination for Video Of The Year for Irreplaceable at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. She is also nominated in several other categories for her collabo with Shakira in Beautiful Liar. Other nominees for Video Of The Year include JT for What Goes Around ... Comes Around, Kanye West for Stronger, Amy Winehouse for Rehab, Rihanna for Umbrella, and (surprise) Justice for D.A.N.C.E. For the first time ever, the ceremony will broadcast live from Las Vegas' Palms Casino Resort, and will feature several new categories, such as Monster Single Of The Year and Most Earthshattering Collaboration.

Timbaland talks about working with JT and Madonna on her upcoming album.

The 2007 Brazilian Film Festival kicked off in New York this past Sunday, and goes on until August 12. Highlights from this year's selection include Cartola, O Cheiro do Ralo, and Oscar Niemeyer-Life Is A Breath Of Air, a documentary about the country's most acclaimed architect.

Globo networks may not have yet broadcast a gay kiss in one of its soap operas, but it did show clips of two boys kissing yesterday during a late night interview with MTV host Daniela Cicarelli. The clips were from her show Beija Sapo.

Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso gets a drag makeover for the cover of Rolling Stone.

"I think it is tacky that people are concerned about who you are sleeping with, and if it is a girl or a guy. It doesn't matter," actor Reynaldo Gianecchini tells TPM magazine this month.

I can't believe I missed National Underwear Day yesterday in Times Square.

The controversy about a gay soccer player has reached a new level this week. After being called gay by a Palmeiras team executive during a live debate on TV, São Paulo player Richarlyson filed a claim against him. The judge turned down Richarlyson's claim stating that if the player is actually gay then he should not be involved in soccer, a sport the judge defined as reserved to straight men. The judge went on to say that if gay men want to play soccer they should form their own league. The name of this a*****e judge is Manoel Maximiano Junqueira Filho, and gay organizations are already filing lawsuits against his homophobic remarks. Richarlyson has not come out, but stated yesterday that he will also be fighting in court to help eliminate prejudice in Brazil's legal system.

A 40-year-old gay man was severely burnt by two other men in Belo Horizonte on Monday night. The victim was drinking at a bar at a gas station when he was joined by two guys who arrived on a motorcycle. At a point, one of the guys left, and came back with a can of beer full of gasoline. He emptied the can on the victim's head, and threw it on fire. The police has not arrested any suspects yet, and believes it was a case of homophobia.

A Semana: A Future Soccer Hottie, Jennifer Lopez, Lindsay Lohan, And New Gay Clubs

My big bet as candidate to the title of next soccer hottie, Alexandre Pato, was sold yesterday to Milan for an estimated US$ 30 million. Pato signed a 5-year contract with Milan, and is on his way to Italy. This kid is going to be huge.

Former Big Brother Brazil contestant Iris Stefanelli scored a R$ 700K deal to pose for this month's issue of Playboy. The pictures were inspired by the movie Marie Antoinette.

Camila Alves attempts to cover bf Matthew McConaughey.

Rio de Janeiro beat São Paulo in the list of the world's top fashion capitals. New York ranked in first.

Chic has exclusive images of the new Animale spring ad campaign with Raquel Zimmermann, as well as an interview with the model.

Maroon 5 splurges in the sex-charged new video for Wake Up Call.

Jennifer Lopez announced that her next album called Brave will be released on October 8. It is produced by the likes of Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, Cory Rooney, and Jermaine Dupri. Her new movie El Cantante hits theaters today.

On this month's Elle magazine, Lindsay Lohan confesses that she would like to work with Brazilian director Walter Salles."I want to work with Walter Salles so bad. I had to audition for him. It was the first audition I’ve had since Freaky Friday."

The boys in Belo Horizonte are getting a new club with the opening of Miss Pig on August 9.

Rio also gets a new club: Troya opens tomorrow with DJs Jeff Vale and Renato Cecin.

Here is a very good reason to set your house on fire.