Xuxa Biography

Maria da Graça "Xuxa" Meneghel is famous in Brazil as the host of a long series of popular variety shows for children. Xuxa was a teen model who later posed as a centerfold in the Brazil edition of Playboy (1982). That didn't stop her from becoming the unabashedly sexy host of her own children's TV shows, featuring Xuxa singing and dancing with her cadre of teen helpers (known as "Paquitas"), receiving visits from celebrities, and performing other colorful hijinks. Her message was wholesome, and her skin-baring outfits made her a hit with dads as well as kiddies. An American version of her hit TV show lasted only one season, from 1993-94, but Xuxa has remained one of Brazil's wealthiest entertainers. She has starred in a long series of movies, including Xuxa e os Duendes (Xuxa and the Elves, 2001), Xuxa Abracadabra (2003) and Xuxa em O Mistério de Feiurinha (Xuxa in The Mystery of Feiurinha, 2009).