Brazilian police arrest two in alleged bomb plot targeting Lady Gaga concert in Rio
Gaga will return to the festival after eight years. Photo: File
Brazilian authorities arrested two individuals in connection with an alleged plot to detonate explosives at Lady Gaga’s massive free concert on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro.
The event, held on May 3, 2025, drew over 2 million fans, making it the largest performance of the pop star’s career.
The suspects include a man detained in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul on illegal weapons charges and a teenager in Rio on child pornography charges. Authorities said the group was linked to hate speech against LGBTQ+ individuals and planned a coordinated attack using homemade explosives and Molotov cocktails. The group reportedly tried to infiltrate Gaga’s fanbase, known as “Little Monsters,” to radicalize teenagers via violent online content.
Despite the alleged threat, the show proceeded without disruption, with over 5,200 police and military officers securing the beach venue. Officials chose not to disclose the plot prior to the concert to avoid public panic.
Lady Gaga and her team said they were unaware of any threats until media reports surfaced post-event. In a social media post, Gaga thanked her Brazilian fans, calling the concert a “historical moment” and expressing deep gratitude.
The Justice Ministry confirmed no explosive devices were found, but emphasized the group posed a real risk to public safety. The arrests followed raids across multiple Brazilian states, during which electronic devices were seized.