Compact-disc in hand and saddened face.
Many Brazilians paid tribute this Saturday to the singer Marilia Mendonça, popular idol of the country, who died on Friday.
The star of "sertanejo", a musical genre close to "country", died at the age of 26, in the crash of a small plane taxi in the state of Minas Gerais.
His body was transported to his hometown on Saturday, where his admirers flocked in huge numbers.
Marilia Mendonca had 39 million subscribers on Instagram and 22 million on her YouTube channel and leaves almost as many fans bewildered including football Neymar.
The two Brazilian stars were friends.
Back in pictures on the immense mobilization of Brazilians, gathered for a last "goodbye" to the artist.
1. A public vigil was organized at the Goiania stadium, the capital of the state of Goais (center) where Marilia Mendonça was born.
The Brazilians rushed there for a chance to approach the deceased.
His mother, Ruth Moreira Dias, notably gave him a last caress.
REUTERS / Ueslei Marcelino
2. During the tribute, some cannot hold back their tears, like this lady, who tries to keep her mask, despite the sadness experienced in front of the coffin of Marilia Mendonça, holder of a Latin Grammy Award, awarded by the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to recognize the excellence of its artistic production.
AFP / EVARISTO SA
3. During this time, the Brazilians gather inside the stadium, masked, to walk past the body and say a few words, thank her for her songs, and mourn this national figure.
AFP / EVARISTO SA
4. Outside, a huge line had formed to enter the stadium, which can accommodate 15,000 people.
This lady tries to climb the steps, one of the last obstacles before the ceremony.
REUTERS / Ueslei Marcelino
5. A couple unloads a wreath near the stadium.
During the tribute, the floral arrangements arrived without stopping, according to the journalists present on the spot.
AFP / EVARISTO SA
6. In front of the stadium, the crowd was huge.
Some came at dawn.
Sign of a strong emotion, the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro himself gave him some characters, on Twitter.
Marilia Mendonça was "one of the greatest artists of her generation", in her words.
“With her unique voice, charisma and music, she won the affection and admiration of all of us,” he wrote.
REUTERS / Ueslei Marcelino
7. Some have sat in front of the stadium to play his songs.
Marilia Mendonça had started in the world of music at the age of 12, was especially known after 2015, when she released her first EP.
AFP / EVARISTO SA
8. Others wear his CDs.
She was the most listened to artist in her country in 2019 and 2020,
according to Globo
, which is based on YouTube and Spotify rankings.
It also held since April 2021 the world record for the most followed YouTube live, with 3.2 million people simultaneously,
says CNN Brazil
.
AFP / EVARISTO SA
Just before the accident, Marilia Mendonça had posted on social networks a video of her boarding and having a meal inside the plane, announcing "a weekend of shows", making her dead as well as that of her uncle, who worked with her, even more suddenly.
They are now to be buried, in a small and private ceremony, in a city cemetery.