On May 3, 2025, Lady Gaga performed a free concert at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, making it the most crowded concert by a female artist in history. Around 2.5 million people attended this event. The concert was part of a cultural program called “Todo Mundo no Rio,” which promotes tourism and local culture.
Before the big show started, the police arrested two people. They were accused of planning a bomb attack with homemade explosives and Molotov cocktails. According to the Brazilian police officers, an adult man had possession of illegal weapons, and a teenager was charged with crimes related to child pornography. Police also searched several locations and found extremist materials and suspicious items.
The adult man could face a very long prison sentence if the charges are confirmed. Meanwhile, the teenager could face severe legal measures, such as rehabilitation, detention, or other sentences.
The suspects who planned to disrupt the concert were reportedly targeting Brazil’s LGBTQIA+ community, especially young people. Their goal was to gain attention online by spreading hate speech. Lady Gaga is a well-known American singer and performer. She is famous for her powerful voice, creative performances, and strong support for human rights. She often speaks in favor of the LGBTQIA+ community, which is one reason why the attackers may have chosen her concert as a targ.et
The show started, despite the potential danger for spectators due to the bomb threat, and even without Lady Gaga knowing about the alert.
The singer learned of the threat of an attack against her Copacabana concert only after the event, in the media. She was not given any warning before or during the show. Brazilian authorities chose not to inform the public or Gaga’s team to avoid panic, misinformation, and confusion. “We acted surgically so that the crime did not take place,” explained Felipe Curi, a civil police official in Rio. Despite the threat, the concert started without any incidents.
Lady Gaga later thanked the public and said, “Your heart shines so bright, your culture is so vibrant and special, I hope you know how grateful I am to have shared this historic moment with you”. This situation showed the risks faced by public events.
