Lady Gaga ‘grateful’ for Brazilian fans after beach gig bomb plot is foiled
Brazilian police worked with the country’s justice ministry to disrupt an attack.
Lady Gaga has said she is “grateful” for her Brazilian fans after 2.5 million watched her free concert at Rio De Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach – and police in the country claimed to have foiled a plot to bomb the event.
Brazilian police worked with the country’s justice ministry to disrupt an attack allegedly planned by a group spreading hate speech against the LGBTQ+ community, according to reports by the Associated Press (AP).
According to the AP report, police said the group sought to radicalise and recruit teenagers to carry out attacks using Molotov cocktails and improvised explosives.
In a post on Instagram following the Saturday concert, Gaga – whose real name is Stefani Germanotta – did not address the incident, but said: “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 hope you know how grateful I am to have shared this historical moment with you.
“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.
“Thank you Rio for waiting for me to come back. Thank you little monsters all over the world. I love you. I will never forget this moment.
“Paws up little monsters (Gaga’s nickname for her fans). Obrigada. Love, Mother Monster.”
According to reports, authorities arrested two people in connection with the planned attack — the alleged leader of the group on illegal weapons possession charges in Rio Grande Do Sul, and a teenager on child pornography charges in Rio.
Police are reported to have raided the locations of 15 suspects in Brazil and confiscated phones and other electronic devices.
The show saw the 39-year-old perform hits such as Poker Face and Alejandro, with a number of costume changes including a dress with the colours of the Brazilian flag.
