Police in Rio de Janeiro announced on Sunday the arrest of two individuals linked to a suspected plan to set off explosives during a free Lady Gaga concert in the city. This event, held on Saturday, turned out to be the pop sensation’s largest show, drawing approximately 2.5 million fans to Copacabana Beach. Attendees were treated to an electrifying performance, singing and dancing along to her hits.
According to Felipe Cury, Rio’s police secretary, authorities believe the suspects targeted Brazil’s LGBTQ community. Cury disclosed at a press briefing that “the attack at Lady Gaga’s concert was allegedly motivated by sexual orientation.”
Police Chief Luiz Lima revealed that the group had been spreading hate speech and inciting violent content on the internet. Their intent was reportedly to gain visibility and attract more followers, many of whom were teenagers and children.
Despite the arrests made hours before Lady Gaga’s performance, the concert proceeded without incident. This led some to question whether the threat was taken seriously enough, as such risks typically lead to event cancellations, similar to what happened with Taylor Swift’s shows in Vienna last year.
Authorities refrained from disclosing the threat to prevent public panic and misinformation. A spokesperson for Lady Gaga mentioned that the artist and her team only learned about the threat from media reports. They stated that “there were no known safety issues or communications from authorities regarding risks before or during the show.”
Lady Gaga’s team collaborated closely with law enforcement to ensure safety, with 5,200 police and military personnel securing the beach where fans celebrated her hits, such as the LGBTQ anthem “Born This Way.”
In connection with the suspected plot, authorities detained two individuals — an alleged leader from Rio Grande do Sul on illegal weapons charges, and a teenager in Rio on possession of child pornography. Police did not detail their roles in the plot or explain why Lady Gaga’s concert was targeted.
Officials reported that the group was enlisting teenagers for coordinated attacks with makeshift bombs and Molotov cocktails. The Justice Ministry identified the group as a public threat, noting their tactic of posing as “Little Monsters” — Lady Gaga fans — to draw teens into violent online networks.
Investigations led to raids on 15 suspects across multiple Brazilian states, resulting in the seizure of electronic devices, though no weapons or explosive materials were mentioned. Cury noted that one suspect from Macaé, near Rio, was driven by religious beliefs, labeling the singer a “Satanist.”
On Instagram, Lady Gaga expressed her gratitude for the immense turnout, saying nothing about the alleged plan. “The pride and joy of performing for Brazil’s people were overwhelming,” she said. “The view of the crowd during opening songs was breathtaking; your culture is vibrant and special, and I am grateful to have shared this historic moment with you.”
The free beach concert stands in contrast to the rising ticket prices for concerts worldwide, as fans pay hefty prices to enjoy their favorite artists. Last month, Lady Gaga performed at Coachella, where tickets exceeded $600 for a weekend. Rio is no stranger to grand performances, hosting Madonna last May for a crowd of 1.6 million at Copacabana Beach.