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Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lady Gaga Breaks the Record for Highest-Attended Concert by a Female Artist in History — Which Was Previously Held by Madonna
Lady Gaga broke the record for the highest-attended concert by a female artist in history on May 3, drawing an estimated crowd of 2.5 million people to her free concert in Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach The record was previously held by Madonna, who drew a crowd of 1.6 million fans to a free concert at Copacabana Beach in May 2024 Gaga's record-breaking show was almost thwarted by a bomb attack planned by a group that had been spreading hate speech, according to police Little Monsters, massive crowd! Lady Gaga held a free concert at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, May 3, performing tracks from her massive catalog of hits for an estimated crowd of 2.5 million people. The show, which marked the pop superstar's first concert in Brazil in over a decade, broke the record for the highest-attended concert by a female artist in history — a record previously held by Madonna — concert organizers told Variety. "Nothing could prepare me for the feeling I had during last night's show — the absolute pride and joy I felt singing for the people of Brazil. The sight of the crowd during my opening songs took my breath away. 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," Gaga, 39, wrote in an Instagram post on Sunday, May 4, celebrating the event. "An estimated 2.5 million people came to see me sing, the biggest crowd for any woman in history. 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. You can give yourself dignity by rehearsing your passion and your craft, pushing yourself to new heights — you can lift yourself up even if it takes some time," she continued. Added Gaga: "Thank you Rio for waiting for me to come back. Thank you little monsters all over the world. I love you. I will never forget this moment. Paws up little monsters. Obrigada. Love, Mother Monster." Related: Lady Gaga Laughs Off Microphone Malfunction During Coachella Headlining Gig: 'At Least You Know I Sing Live' Gaga appeared to acknowledge the historic moment during her concert, telling the Copacabana Beach crowd, 'Tonight, we're making history," per Variety. 'Thank you for making history with me,' she added to fans. 'The people of Brazil are the reason why I can shine.' Elsewhere during the evening, the star took another emotional moment to celebrate the crowd. 'Your freedom is so vast … your joy, your love, your spirit. May it be heard around the world tonight! 2.5 million people,' she told fans, per concert footage shared on X. Related: Katy Perry Praises Lady Gaga After Attending 'Mayhem' Tour in Mexico City: 'So Proud of You' The musician kicked off her historic show with 2011 track 'Bloody Mary,' and went on to perform a combination of her classics and songs off of her latest album, Mayhem. Fans belted out the lyrics to 'Poker Face,' 'Paparazzi,' 'Shallow' and more, their voices echoing loudly throughout the area, concert footage captured on social media shows. Though the show ultimately went on as planned, Brazilian police later revealed that they thwarted a bomb attack intended to target the crowd at the free show, according to the BBC. Police said they arrested the person responsible for the attack, which was planned by a group that had been spreading hate speech against children and the LGBTQ+ community, the outlet reported. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Related: All the Easter Eggs in Lady Gaga's Headlining Set at Coachella 2025 Before Gaga's massive May 3 show, the record for highest-attended concert by a female artist was held by Madonna. The pop star, 66, nabbed the title in May 2024 when, for the final show of her Celebration Tour, she held a free concert at Copacabana Beach that drew a crowd of 1.6 million fans. Madonna's concert was also the first by a female artist to exceed a crowd of 1 million, per Guinness World Records. The overall record holder for biggest concert crowd is still held by Rod Stewart, according to Guinness. The 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?' singer also earned the honor at Copacabana Beach, drawing a crowd of at least 3.5 million for a free New Year's Eve at the Rio beach in 1994. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Two Arrested in Plot to Bomb Lady Gaga's Rio Concert
Brazilian Police said Sunday that two people were arrested who were involved in a plot to set off a bomb at Lady Gaga's free concert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Copacabana Beach, according to AP. The concert was attended by a record-breaking 2.5 million fans, which is the highest number of attendees ever achieved by a female artist, according to concert organizers. More from Variety Lady Gaga Adds Summer Dates in L.A. and San Francisco to Her 2025 Tour Itinerary Coachella 2025 Report Card: The Great (Lady Gaga, Megan Thee Stallion), the Good (Green Day) and the Ugly Lady Gaga Apologizes for Mic Malfunctions During Coachella Weekend 2 Set: 'At Least You Know I Sing Live' Local law enforcement said they had collaborated with the Justice Ministry to thwart the attack, which was reportedly planned by a group inciting hate speech toward the LGBTQ community. Brazilian Police said that the group aimed to radicalize and enlist teenagers to execute the attack using improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails. Representatives for Lady Gaga did not immediately respond to Variety's request for comment. 'The plan was treated as a 'collective challenge' with the aim of gaining notoriety on social media,' said local police. Law enforcement maintains that they arrested two individuals involved in the attack. One of them was the leader of the group, arrested on illegal weapons possession charges in Rio Grande do Sul. The other was a teenager, arrested on charges of child pornography in Rio. Local authorities said that police went on to raid the locations of 15 more suspects across numerous Brazilian states and seized phones and electronics. According to the Justice Ministry, those involved with the attack falsely claimed themselves as 'Little Monsters,' a nickname for Lady Gaga's fanbase. This was in order to contact teenagers and indoctrinate them in 'networks with violent and self-destructive content.' Local police said that the arrests were executed with discretion on Saturday in an attempt to avoid 'panic or distortion of information among the population.' Best of Variety Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Netflix in May 2025
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lady Gaga's Free Concert on Rio's Copacabana Beach Draws a Record-Breaking 2.5 Million People
Lady Gaga has performed the biggest concert of her career. The 'Abracadrabra' singer held a free concert on Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Copacabana Beach, and drew a record-breaking crowd of 2.5 million people. More from Variety Lady Gaga Adds Summer Dates in L.A. and San Francisco to Her 2025 Tour Itinerary Coachella 2025 Report Card: The Great (Lady Gaga, Megan Thee Stallion), the Good (Green Day) and the Ugly Lady Gaga Apologizes for Mic Malfunctions During Coachella Weekend 2 Set: 'At Least You Know I Sing Live' According to concert organizers, Gaga now holds the record for the highest-attended concert by a female artist in history – a record previously held by Madonna, who drew 1.6 million. Gaga fever had hit Brazil ever since the singer announced the special show. Fans had been camping outside the hotel where she had been staying since Tuesday night, singing her songs, waiting and hoping to get a glimpse of the star. On Friday night, Gaga treated fans by rehearsing on the stage, giving them a teaser of what was to come. Gaga told her audience, 'I've missed you so much. I know that this is not the first show here, I know this is just a rehearsal, it feels like it's the real show.' It had been 12 years since Gaga last performed in the country, and fans started queuing early on Saturday morning to secure a good spot for the show. 'Tonight, we're making history,' she said. 'Thank you for making history with me… The people of Brazil are the reason why I can shine.' She opened the show with her 2011 track 'Bloody Mary' and performed her classic hits, including 'Poker Face' and 'Alejandro,' as well as tracks from her latest album, 'Mayhem.' Gaga treated her fans to a new costume for the historic show by wearing a dress with the colors of the Brazilian flag. Incase you've ever wondered what 2 million Little Monsters singing Paparazzi in unison sounds like #Gagacabana — Gaga Daily (@gagadaily) May 4, 2025 The performance followed Gaga's headlining performances at Coachella and sold-out stadium shows in Mexico City. Next up, Gaga heads to Singapore. The singer has not spoken directly about whether the Mayhem Ball tour will take its cues from her Coachella production and costume design and setlist or offer a different of Variety Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Netflix in May 2025
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Irish Rap Group Kneecap Projects Aggressive Pro-Palestine, Anti-Israel Messages During Coachella Sets
The Irish rap group Kneecap continued to ignite controversy at Coachella's second weekend by criticizing Israel for its ongoing war in Gaza and leading a 'free Palestine' chant during their set. The band also projected anti-Israel messages on the Sonora tent backdrop. The projections were apparently also used during the festival's first weekend and led to the livestream of the band's set being cut off; on the second weekend, the Sonora tent's sets were not livestreamed, presumably due to those messages. More from Variety Dave Grohl and Cynthia Erivo Join Dudamel and the LA Phil for Coachella Weekend 2 Performance Lady Gaga Apologizes for Mic Malfunctions During Coachella Weekend 2 Set: 'At Least You Know I Sing Live' Coachella Livestream Schedule: How and When to Stream the Weekend 2 Performances 'Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,' the projections read. 'It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. Fuck Israel; free Palestine.' While the outcry during weekend one was relatively limited, on weekend two it was much larger. Multiple commentators online called for Coachella organizers Goldenvoice and parent company AEG Presents to comment. Reps for the two companies did not immediately respond to Variety's requests for comment. Last week, the band claimed on X that Coachella had censored their protest, but assured the festival over social media that they would be 'back next Friday' and it would 'be sorted.' During their weekend two set, the band started a 'free, free Palestine chant,' and stated 'the Irish are not so longer persecuted under the Brits, but we were never bombed under the fucking skies with nowhere to go.' Kneecap were not the only artists to display pro-Palestinian messages at the festival; British punk duo Bob Vylan displayed a Palestinian flag during their set weekend one and commented on Gaza as well. That group also performed in the Sonora tent; it is unclear whether it voiced similar messages Former Justin Bieber/Ariana Grande manager Scooter Braun, who last year staged an exhibit in Israel and Los Angeles about Hamas' October 7 attacks in Israel, defended Goldenvoice founder Paul Tollett on social media. 'This is my friend Paul Tollett, the founder of [Coachella],' Braun wrote in an Instagram post Sunday. 'He is someone who lives and breathes the festival community. He fights for artists and he fights for all people. When I invited him to the opening of the Nova music exhibit in Los Angeles, he was the first person from the industry to accept. He came on his own time and spent five hours in the exhibit and then met with survivors of nova and invited them to the festival this year as his guest. He cried with them, he laughed with them, and he continues to advocate for them. Let's not lose sight of who this man is, and let us stand with him in this moment when a group, without his knowing, took advantage of his festival and created hate in a place that's filled with love.' Variety will have more on the situation as it develops. Last week, the band claimed on X that Coachella had censored their protest, but assured the festival over social media that they would be 'back next Friday' and it would 'be sorted.' During their weekend two set, the band started a 'free, free Palestine chant,' and stated 'the Irish are not so longer persecuted under the Brits, but we were never bombed under the fucking skies with nowhere to go.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Irish Rap Group Kneecap Projects Aggressive Pro-Palestine, Anti-Israel Messages During Coachella Sets
The Irish rap group Kneecap continued to ignite controversy at Coachella's second weekend by criticizing Israel for its ongoing war in Gaza and leading a 'free Palestine' chant during their set. The band also projected anti-Israel messages on the Sonora tent backdrop. The projections were apparently also used during the festival's first weekend and led to the livestream of the band's set being cut off; on the second weekend, the Sonora tent's sets were not livestreamed, presumably due to those messages. More from Variety Dave Grohl and Cynthia Erivo Join Dudamel and the LA Phil for Coachella Weekend 2 Performance Lady Gaga Apologizes for Mic Malfunctions During Coachella Weekend 2 Set: 'At Least You Know I Sing Live' Coachella Livestream Schedule: How and When to Stream the Weekend 2 Performances 'Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,' the projections read. 'It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. Fuck Israel; free Palestine.' While the outcry during weekend one was relatively limited, on weekend two it was much larger. Multiple commentators online called for Coachella organizers Goldenvoice and parent company AEG Presents to comment. Reps for the two companies did not immediately respond to Variety's requests for comment. Last week, the band claimed on X that Coachella had censored their protest, but assured the festival over social media that they would be 'back next Friday' and it would 'be sorted.' During their weekend two set, the band started a 'free, free Palestine chant,' and stated 'the Irish are not so longer persecuted under the Brits, but we were never bombed under the fucking skies with nowhere to go.' Kneecap were not the only artists to display pro-Palestinian messages at the festival; British punk duo Bob Vylan displayed a Palestinian flag during their set weekend one and commented on Gaza as well. That group also performed in the Sonora tent; it is unclear whether it voiced similar messages Former Justin Bieber/Ariana Grande manager Scooter Braun, who last year staged an exhibit in Israel and Los Angeles about Hamas' October 7 attacks in Israel, defended Goldenvoice founder Paul Tollett on social media. 'This is my friend Paul Tollett, the founder of [Coachella],' Braun wrote in an Instagram post Sunday. 'He is someone who lives and breathes the festival community. He fights for artists and he fights for all people. When I invited him to the opening of the Nova music exhibit in Los Angeles, he was the first person from the industry to accept. He came on his own time and spent five hours in the exhibit and then met with survivors of nova and invited them to the festival this year as his guest. He cried with them, he laughed with them, and he continues to advocate for them. Let's not lose sight of who this man is, and let us stand with him in this moment when a group, without his knowing, took advantage of his festival and created hate in a place that's filled with love.' Variety will have more on the situation as it develops. Last week, the band claimed on X that Coachella had censored their protest, but assured the festival over social media that they would be 'back next Friday' and it would 'be sorted.' During their weekend two set, the band started a 'free, free Palestine chant,' and stated 'the Irish are not so longer persecuted under the Brits, but we were never bombed under the fucking skies with nowhere to go.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
