May 5, 2025: Two individuals have been arrested in connection with an alleged bomb plot targeting Lady Gaga’s historic concert at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on May 3. The suspects—a man and a teenager—were reportedly planning to attack Brazil’s LGBTQIA+ community during the free performance, according to the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro.
Despite the seriousness of the threat, Lady Gaga and her team were unaware of the alleged plot until it surfaced in the media. “We learned about this alleged threat via media reports this morning,” a spokesperson for the singer said in a statement. “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.”
The statement also emphasized that Gaga’s team had worked closely with local law enforcement throughout the event’s planning and execution. “All parties were confident in the safety measures in place,” the representative added.
The concert marked a milestone in the pop star’s career, drawing a staggering crowd of 2.5 million—making it the highest-attended concert by a female artist in history.
Authorities revealed that the two suspects were allegedly coordinating an attack using homemade explosives, including Molotov cocktails, with plans to recruit others to assist in executing the attack during the show. “Since Monday, our police and intelligence received information about plans to launch a bomb attack using homemade explosive devices during Lady Gaga’s concert on May 3, mainly targeting the LGBTQIA+ public,” police officials said at a press conference.
The incident underscores the increasing risks faced by LGBTQIA+ communities and large public events, despite extensive security preparations.