While a lot of people were inspired as kids by the 1984 movie "Splash" or the 1989 animated film "The Little Mermaid," only a few decided to go on to become real mermaids as grown-ups. Take a look at these Brazilian mermaids who "grew" their own fins and tails to add some magical beauty to their own and other people's lives.
Carol Catan turned to life as a mermaid in 2012, after 10 years of veterinarian work. Now known as Sereia Carol (Mermaid Carol), she is portraying a mythical creature of the sea and teaching mermaiding.
Photo: A student participates in a mermaid lesson in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 28, 2017.
Photo: A student participates in a mermaid lesson in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 28, 2017.
Carol is paid for performing as a mermaid at various events like children's parties. But she always finds time in her schedule for hanging out with wheelchair-bound children at Brazil's hospitals.
Photo: A woman takes a photograph of a girl as she participates in a mermaid lesson in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 28, 2017.
Photo: A woman takes a photograph of a girl as she participates in a mermaid lesson in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 28, 2017.
According to Carol, volunteering at hospitals is among her most rewarding experiences. Kids with disabilities receive emotional support from the mermaid. Dressed in a costume with a long, shiny green tail, Carol is positioned in a wheelchair so that children can relate to her. She chats with young patients and "they feel included, cherished."
Photo: Mermaid Carol visits the Disabled Child Care Association (AACD) in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 8, 2017.
Photo: Mermaid Carol visits the Disabled Child Care Association (AACD) in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 8, 2017.
Mermaids pose for spectators in Sao Paulo Aquarium, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 8, 2017.
Sereia Carol was inspired by the movie "Splash" starring Daryl Hannah as a mermaid, but she confesses she has been fond of mermaids since childhood, when she practiced swimming with her legs joined together. The “mermaid” practices every day and can spend up to four minutes underwater between breaths.
Photo: Girls participate in a mermaid lesson in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 28, 2017.
Photo: Girls participate in a mermaid lesson in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 28, 2017.
Teaching mermaid skills isn’t rare in Brazil.
Photo: Mermaid and diving instructor Luciana Fuzetti helps fishermen to pull a net on Itaipu beach in Niteroi, Brazil, on July 13, 2017.
Photo: Mermaid and diving instructor Luciana Fuzetti helps fishermen to pull a net on Itaipu beach in Niteroi, Brazil, on July 13, 2017.
Luciana trains whilst wearing a mermaid tail in the Tijucas Islands in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 22, 2017.
Another Brazilian “mermaid,” Thais Picchi, was a ballet dancer and a civic rights trainer before she decided to transform into a mythical sea beauty. After a personal crisis four years ago, mermaiding helped her to find a way to reduce stress.
Photo: Girls prepare to take part in a mermaid lesson in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 28, 2017.
Photo: Girls prepare to take part in a mermaid lesson in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 28, 2017.
Thais took lessons of free diving and underwater dancing and then got into a “mermaid movement.” Now, she is a mermaid instructor herself.
Photo: Thais Picchi poses for a photograph in the sea at Arpoador beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 6, 2017.
Photo: Thais Picchi poses for a photograph in the sea at Arpoador beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 6, 2017.
A girl prepares to take part in a mermaid lesson in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 28, 2017.
Mermaid and diving instructor Luciana Fuzetti trains whilst wearing a mermaid tail in the Tijucas Islands in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 22, 2017.
Women in Brazil are not unique in their affinity for mermaiding: similar classes of siren’s skills are held around the world.
Photo: Mermaid tails are hung up during a mermaid lesson in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 28, 2017.
Photo: Mermaid tails are hung up during a mermaid lesson in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 28, 2017.
