Mother Monster broke records with the most attended concert by a female artist…ever!
This past weekend, 2.5 million “Little Monsters” watched Lady Gaga perform at Brazil’s Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, beating Madonna’s attendance by almost a million. The spectacle was undoubtedly one of the biggest shows of the pop star’s career.
Here is what you need to know and what you missed from this past weekend.
It was record breaking
Lady Gaga’s Copacabana show is officially the most attended concert by a female artist ever! “An estimated 2.5 million people came to see me sing, the biggest crowd for any woman in history,” she said on Instagram. “I wish I could share this feeling with the whole world—I know I can’t, but I can say this—if you lose your way, you can find your way back if you believe in yourself and work hard.”
She went on to say that nothing could prepare her for the feelings she experienced at the show. “The sight of the crowd during my opening songs took my breath away,” she 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 historical moment with you.”
While it broke records, Rod Stewart still holds the title for the most-attended concert at Copacabana with 3.5 million people watching him perform at News Year’s Eve in 1994.
It was a night to remember
The concert was Gaga’s return after a 12-year absence in the country. The two-hour set, described as a “gothic opera,” had 10 costume changes including one featuring the colours of the Brazilian flag. She performed 23 songs starting with Bloody Mary and ending with Bad Romance, and sang Alejandro from a balcony draped in the Brazilian flag.
Gaga took a moment during the show to highlight her love for the LGBTQ+ community, which she has been a strong champion of since she started her career. “I just wanna say while I’m here. My love to the LGBTQ+ community here in Brazil. I love you, thank you! Thank you for teaching us all,” she said before singing Born This Way.
There were videos from every vantage point
With 2.5 million people, videos flooded social media. People shot content from inside the crowd and from buildings surrounding the stage.
Some people had a prime view from their hotel rooms…
Others zoomed in on folding fans opening and closing in perfect unison, which we swear you can hear them clack (also read our piece on their mysterious origins)…
Some videos allowed us to hear what 2.5 million people singing Paparazzi in unison was like…
and Abracadabra…
There was even a marriage proposal that happened!
It was safe show despite a threat
While a magical night, there were threats of violence to concertgoers prior. Brazilian police said they stopped a bomb attack targeted at LGBTQ+ people prior to the show, arresting two people.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, a spokesperson for Gaga said “We learned about this alleged threat via media reports this morning. Prior to and during the show, there were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks.”
Luckily, the show went on full of love and excitement.
Richard / 07 May 2025
Totally epic