Lady Gaga hosted a free concert at Copacabana Beach in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, on May 3, drawing a record-breaking crowd of 2.5 million.
The pop-up concert included many of her hit songs like “Bloody Mary” and “Poker Face,” as well as some newer songs from her most recent album like “Die With A Smile” featuring Bruno Mars and “Abracadabra.”
Gaga has been an influential pop star and outstanding performer since her prime in the 2000s and 2010s, where she released several hit songs that topped the charts. Gaga’s personality has been refreshing and unique among her competitors.
While she has not been as prominent in the music industry in recent years, the public continues to connect with Gaga’s music and appreciate her contributions to pop culture.
The concert in Brazil reminded the public of Gaga’s talent and significance. It was the highest attended concert performed by a woman, surpassing Madonna’s 2024 performance at the same venue with 1.6 million attendees, according to Billboard.
Despite the fact that attending the concert was free, the show helped boost the local economy. Although roughly one million Brazillians were estimated in attendance, 1.5 million visitors traveled from other areas of the world to attend the highly anticipated concert. The BBC reports that Gaga’s show brought in nearly $100 million in revenue to businesses around the Copacabana Beach area.
The night was emotional for Gaga, as the last time she had performed in Brazil was 2012. In 2017, she was supposed to perform at Copacabana but cancelled, which Gaga later revealed was due to her hospitalization over pain caused by fibromyalgia.
“You waited for me…you waited more than 10 years for me,” Gaga said tearfully at the beginning of her show. “Brazil, I’m ready. I’m going to give it my all.”
Gaga put on an amazing performance with many different costumes, one particularly inspired by the city’s soccer team and their colors. She also had impressive set pieces and visual effects, including fireworks, which are all synonymous with the pop star’s over-the-top career.
Gaga entertained a number of people larger than 10% of Brazil’s entire population, proving her lasting importance to pop culture even after 17 years of breakout hits.
