What Would Happen If Odete Roitman Tried to Pull a Scam on Raquel in Real Life? Lawyer Breaks Down the Controversy in Vale Tudo (2025)
- Could Odete Roitman’s Corporate Takeover Actually Work in Real Life?
- 5 Reasons Odete’s Scheme Would Fail Outside Soap Opera Land
- The Bottom Line: Drama ≠ Reality
- Q&A: Breaking Down Vale Tudo’s Legal Fiction
The remake of the iconic telenovelahas sparked just as much drama as the original 1988 version. One of the most talked-about scenes involves the ruthless villain Odete Roitman (played by Débora Bloch) scheming against Raquel Accioly (Taís Araújo). But how WOULD Odete’s corporate coup play out in real life? A legal expert weighs in, debunking five key plot points and explaining why the scam wouldn’t hold up in court. From shareholder rights to eviction timelines, here’s the reality behind the fiction.
Could Odete Roitman’s Corporate Takeover Actually Work in Real Life?
The 2025 reboot ofhas reignited debates about corporate ethics—and legal realism. In the show, Odete manipulates her sister Celina into selling her majority stake in Paladar, a meal-supply company co-owned by Raquel. With 65% control, Odete dissolves the business overnight, saddles Raquel with debt, and orders an eviction within 24 hours. Dramatic? Absolutely. Legal? Not a chance.
Paula Taira Horiuti, a corporate law specialist at Gasparini, Barbosa e Freire Advogados, breaks down why this plotline is pure fiction. Spoiler: Brazil’s legal system has way more safeguards than a telenovela scriptwriter’s imagination.
5 Reasons Odete’s Scheme Would Fail Outside Soap Opera Land
1. Selling Shares Isn’t a Solo Mission
In the show, Celina unilaterally sells her Paladar shares to Odete without consulting Raquel or other minority stakeholders. IRL? Not so fast. Brazilian law requires approval from shareholders representing at least 25% of capital for such transfers. Raquel could’ve easily sued to block the sale. “This isn’t a flea market negotiation,” Horiuti jokes. “Corporate governance exists for a reason.”
2. You Can’t Dissolve a Company Over Coffee
Odete’s lightning-fast liquidation of Paladar makes for great TV but ignores legal procedure. Dissolving a company requires formal shareholder meetings, documented votes, and compliance with debt-payment protocols. “You’d need more paperwork than aparade permit,” Horiuti notes. Minority partners like Raquel would have months—not minutes—to challenge the decision.
3. Majority Doesn’t Mean Absolute Power
Even with 65% ownership, Odete’s actions would qualify as “abuse of controlling interest” under Article 117 of Brazil’s Corporations Law. Freezing Raquel out? Illegal. Transferring debts? Voidable. As Horiuti puts it: “Shareholder agreements aren’tbets—they’re binding contracts.”
4. Real Liquidations Move at Bureaucracy Speed
TV shows love montages; courts love due process. Proper dissolution involves creditor notifications, asset valuations, and judicial oversight—a process taking months (or years), not the commercial-break timeline shown. “If Odete tried this,” Horiuti says, “she’d spend more time in hearings than on screen.”
5. 24-Hour Evictions? Only in Soap Operas
The show’s breakneck eviction order is pure fantasy. Brazilian evictions require court filings, with standard injunction timelines around 15 days. “Evenget more notice,” Horiuti remarks. Raquel’s team could’ve easily secured an injunction to halt the move.
The Bottom Line: Drama ≠ Reality
Whilethrives on over-the-top schemes, real corporate law prioritizes transparency and minority protections. As Horiuti concludes: “If telenovelas followed legal procedure, they’d be as exciting as notarized documents.” For investors, the takeaway is clear—always read the fine print, not just the script.
Q&A: Breaking Down Vale Tudo’s Legal Fiction
Could Raquel have stopped Odete’s takeover?
Absolutely. Under Brazilian law, major share transfers require minority approval. Raquel could’ve sued to annul the sale.
How long does a real corporate dissolution take?
Typically 6-18 months, depending on debt complexity. Odete’s overnight shutdown wouldn’t survive first-round judicial review.
Are 24-hour evictions legal in Brazil?
No. Standard eviction injunctions take 15+ days. The show’s timeline exists solely for dramatic effect.
