Barretos 2026 Competition: Nikeli Salomão is a makeup artist and has dreamed of being a queen since she was a child. The Festa do Peão de Barretos 2026 elects the new queen on Friday (17) by a jury vote. Until then, g1 presents, in alphabetical order, the profile of the ten finalists competing for the title. The current rodeo queen is Lara Peghim. Born and raised in Barretos (SP), administration student and makeup artist Nikeli Salomão, 23, says that she has been attending Festa do Peão since childhood and says that the event provides a unique experience for anyone visiting the city. "The Festa do Peão de Barretos has no explanation, it is a totally different emotion, it is a totally different energy and everyone, at least one day, once in their life, should come and experience Barretos, because Barretos is the very land of emotions." ?Click here to follow the g1 Ribeirão e Franca channel on WhatsApp Passionate about the country music universe, Nikeli reveals that the desire to compete in the contest has existed for years. She says that, at the age of 16, she participated in another beauty competition and won the title of princess, but dreams of becoming Queen of the Festa do Peão de Barretos. "I've always wanted to participate in the Queen of Independents for a few years now, I already took part in a contest for queen of a rodeo in 2018, when I was 16 years old. I won as princess, it was very enjoyable, but the Queen of Barretos contest is totally different, the experience is different, the proportion of the event is totally different and it's been a very good experience." Nikeli competes for the title of Queen of the 2026 Peão Party Personal archive Nikeli says that the competition allows the creation of bonds between the candidates and states that the coexistence during the preparation will be marked forever. ?The grand final of the competition that will choose the maximum representative of the Festa do Peão de Barretos is scheduled for next Friday (17th), starting at 8pm, at North Shopping Barretos. The dispute brings together ten candidates. Throughout the week, g1 presents the story of each of them. MORE in your life and which values from this universe inspire you most? Nikeli: Country culture represents a root, right? Culture, a connection with the interior, with tradition, with the strength of work, values ??that inspire me. Maybe it's this authenticity and respect for origins, simplicity, everything in general. Nikeli is an admirer of country culture Personal archive Is there a country artist or duo that marked your career? Why? One of the big names that left an impression on me was the duo Zezé di Camargo & Luciano. I grew up listening to their music, because my mother is a passionate fan and I think they have a very sensitive way of telling stories, that classic country way that talks so much about love, family and roots. Zezé Di Camargo and Luciano sing hits from their 35-year career at Ribeirão Rodeo Music 2026 in Ribeirão Preto, SP Érico Andrade/g1 What is your favorite rodeo event? Why? My favorite type of rodeo, for sure, is bull riding. The one we're most excited to watch, it's the most exciting, it's the most challenging, so there's no way not to love bull riding. Bull raises his rear end while riding PBR bulls at the Festa do Peão de Barretos 2025 Érico Andrade/g1 What characteristics do you believe a Queen of the Festa do Peão de Barretos should have to represent the event? A queen needs to have a very strong connection with country culture. She has to understand the history of the rodeo, the value of the event, but also be charismatic, have a presence, be communicative, because she will represent all the people, the tradition and the future of the rodeo. If you win the title, what message would you like to convey to the public and to the girls who dream of representing Barretos in the future? If I win the title, I would like to say that each of you has immense strength within you. Believe in your dreams, dedicate yourself, study the culture, because the Barretos rodeo is more than a party, it is a passion that passes from generation to generation and, together, we will always be able to make history. Stage of the Festa do Peão de Barretos 2025 Érico Andrade/g1 *Under the supervision of Flávia Santucci See more news from the region on g1 Ribeirão Preto and Franca VIDEOS: Everything about Ribeirão Preto, Franca and the region