Read the latest news and gossip from Rio from our man in the know!

Brahma beer has chosen Jennifer Lopez as its international muse for carnival 2012.

Not only will JLo be in Brahma's VIP box to watch the main carnival parades in Rio de Janeiro on 19 and 20 February, but she has also recorded a number of carnival themed TV ads for the brewery that are currently being broadcast across Brazil as the country counts down to the celebrations.

In one of the ads, JLo shows off her prowess for capoeira, the traditional Brazilian martial art and dance, while in another she is shown learning samba and Portuguese in preparation for her trip to Rio.

Last year international guests in the Brahma box included Jude Law, Will.I.Am, and Pamela Anderson, while in 2010 Madonna was the international guest of honour. Look out for photos of JLo in Rio in the British press.

Traditionally the invitation for Brahma's box, and other carnival activities in Rio, is a special t-shirt. No t-shirt, means no entry, and it doesn't matter how famous you are. But if you don't have the t-shirt, and can't get to Rio to join JLo for carnival, you can still enjoy the carnival spirit and a cold bottle of Brahma, by dropping in at you nearest Las Iguanas between now and 26 February.

Chris Pickard