Actor João Victor Gonçalves Returns to Rock in Rio After Alleged Homophobic Harassment

Actor João Victor Gonçalves returned to the Rock in Rio festival on Sunday, September 6, where he received support and hugs from attendees. The appearance followed an incident on Friday, September 4, in which the actor, known for his role as Mau Mau in the soap opera Quem Ama Cuida, reported being harassed while on his way to the event. The incident was captured during a live stream on the platform Kick by streamer GH Rell RJ and his friends, who made comments about the actor's clothing, describing it as horroroso and comparing it to a tomato. João Victor Gonçalves subsequently classified the episode as homophobia on social media, stating that homophobia is a crime and not entertainment. His legal team released a statement asserting that the actor was a victim of discrimination based on his sexual orientation due to his non conformity with gender norms in dress. In response, GH Rell RJ stated that he creates entertainment through unusual street interactions and claimed the clip was taken out of context. He apologized if he had made a mistake. While a center leaning source focused on the actor's reception and the support he received upon his return, a center left leaning source provided more extensive detail regarding the streamer's defense and the parallels the actor drew between the event and his character's struggle with structural homophobia in his television show.