Brazil: Police Foil Bomb Plot at Lady Gaga Megashow

Police in Brazil say they have thwarted a bombing plot targeting the LGBTQIA+ community during Lady Gaga’s record-breaking concert at Copacabana Beach.

On Saturday, Gaga performed to more than two million people in Rio de Janeiro, breaking Madonna’s 2024 record of 1.6 million attendees for the largest show by a solo female artist in history.

The following day, Rio de Janeiro’s police revealed they had arrested two individuals in connection with a planned attack on the event.

Arrests Made in Coordinated Police Operation

Authorities arrested a man, believed to be the leader of the group, for illegal possession of a firearm in Rio Grande do Sul. A teenager was also arrested in Rio for storing child pornography.

The suspects are allegedly part of a group targeted in a law enforcement effort dubbed “Operation Fake Monster.”

Police said the group aimed to recruit participants—including teenagers—to carry out coordinated attacks using improvised explosive devices and Molotov cocktails.

LGBTQIA+ Community Among Alleged Targets

According to police, the group’s intended victims included children, adolescents, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The motivation, they said, was to “gain notoriety on social media.”

Authorities also accused the group of “promoting the radicalisation of adolescents, the dissemination of hate crimes, self-harm, paedophilia and violent content as a form of belonging and challenge among young people.”

Police carried out 15 search and seizure warrants targeting nine individuals across several cities and regions in Brazil. Electronic devices and other materials recovered during the raids are currently being analysed.

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… pic.twitter.com/KCXvMxakZx

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) May 4, 2025

Gaga Celebrates Historic Moment

A spokesperson for Lady Gaga told The Hollywood Reporter that the singer only learned of the plot after the show and that she was not aware of the threat before or during the performance.

Lady Gaga has not directly commented on the foiled attack but took to social media to celebrate the concert’s success.

“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,” she said.

“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.”