Lady Gaga broke a record on May 3, playing in front of an estimated 2.5 million people at Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach, the largest audience for a woman artist ever. Her historic first concert in Brazil in a decade was free and beat out Madonna’s record for the biggest audience for a woman artist’s concert. Gaga recognized the historic achievement during the show.
In fan-recorded footage from the show, the 39-year-old pop star expressed her gratitude to the crowd, saying, “Your freedom is so vast … your joy, your love, your spirit. May it be heard around the world tonight! Two and a half million people.” Later in the performance, she remarked, “Tonight, we’re making history,” adding, “Thank you for making history with me… The people of Brazil are the reason why I can shine.”
“your spirit may be heard around the world. 2.5 MILLION people!” – lady gaga during her record-breaking show in copacabana beach in brazil pic.twitter.com/t7XCuHDgik
— pop culture gal (@allurequinn) May 4, 2025
She opened with her 2011 hit song “Bloody Mary” and went on with high-energy performances of “Poker Face,” “Alejandro,” “Paparazzi,” and a host of fan favorites. She also performed hits from her most recent album, Mayhem.
Before this groundbreaking show, Madonna held the record for the largest crowd at a female artist’s concert. Her 2024 show at Copacabana Beach, the final date of her Celebration Tour, drew 1.6 million attendees, also a free concert. This concert marked the first time a female artist surpassed one million attendees, according to Guinness World Records.
She shared her emotions on Instagram on May 4, after the successful show. She posted many photos from the concert wearing a Brazilian flag colored dress. Gaga wrote, “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.”
She further added, “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.”
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The 39-year-old singer ended her post by thanking the people of Rio de Janeiro and her global fanbase.
