Brazilian police recently thwarted a planned bombing attack on Lady Gaga’s free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, which took place on May 3, 2025. Around two million people attended the event, setting a new attendance record for a free concert in Brazil.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, a joint operation between the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police and the Justice Ministry uncovered the plot. The attack was allegedly aimed at children, adolescents, and the LGBTQI+ community.
The suspects were reportedly hoping to spread hate speech and gain notoriety on social media. They had recruited individuals to carry out the attacks using improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails.
The mastermind of the attack and a teenager were arrested in connection with the plot. The mastermind was detained for illegally possessing a firearm, while the teenager was arrested for storing child pornography.
The concert, organized by the city of Rio to help boost the local economy, attracted more than 500,000 tourists and generated nearly £80 million. It surpassed Madonna’s concert attendance from the previous year.
Despite the threat, Lady Gaga’s team stated that they had no prior knowledge of any safety concerns. “We learned about this alleged threat via media reports this morning,” a spokesperson said, emphasizing that the show proceeded without incident.
Police used extensive security measures, including metal detectors, drones, and facial recognition cameras. A total of 5,000 officers were deployed to ensure the safety of the attendees.
The police operation, named ‘Operation Fake Monster,’ resulted in the issuance of 15 search warrants across several Brazilian cities. Seized items included electronic devices that could help further the investigation.
Authorities said the suspects had disguised themselves as “Little Monsters,” a term used by Lady Gaga for her fans, in an attempt to infiltrate the fandom. Their goal was to radicalize teens and spread harmful online content.
The operation, launched based on intelligence services’ tip-offs, involved raids in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, and Mato Grosso. Investigators believe the group planned to target the concert as part of a larger, disturbing agenda.
Article updated 3 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
