BBC report argues that it would be impossible for Copacabana to hold 2.1 million people and cites much lower number
Held on May 3, the show of Lady Gaga On Copacabana beach has still earned discussions. At the beginning of the week, the BBC He published a report contesting the official public numbers.
The City of Rio de Janeiro reported that 2.1 million people attended the event. The British communication vehicle, from the estimate of a public density specialist, pointed out that only a number of 660,000 people could be in the area for the presentation.
Given this, the mayor of Rio decided to speak up. Through the social network X (former Twitter), Eduardo Paes He reacted in a humorous tone in refuting the argument presented by the expert. Initially, he stated:
“You know nothing! They don’t understand Rio! In the same space that fits 660,000 British, 2.2 million excited and happy Brazilians and Calientes!”
Citing another communication vehicle that contested the estimates, Paes added:
“The BBC probably has some connection with the Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo. My God. They do not understand the flow of people and the size of Copacabana beach. Worse than that, they think we Brazilians are far from each other like the British. We are very close to each other. invite them to spend time in the river and they will probably be better humor. ”
BBC’s argument
The BBC consulted a public density specialist. Based on the total extension of Copacabana and the aerial images of the show, the professional said it is virtually impossible for the initial number to be real.
The report, conducted by Richard Irvine-Brown and Jessica Cruzsays that:
“Rio officials celebrated the attendance of 2.1 million people as a triumph. However, careful analysis of the BBC Verify team and a public density expert reveals that it is highly unlikely that the allegations are accurate.”
According to the calculations of the specialist heard by the BBC, it would be necessary to use the entire Copacabana sand strip to behave the estimated public by the city of Rio:
“For 2 million people, you would need the full length of Copacabana beach, which is about 610,000 square meters.”
Also according to the BBC, the city of Rio was sought by the report and reinforced the number of 2.1 million people, but without explaining how it arrived at it.
What the mayor of Rio de Janeiro says
The day after the Lady Gaga show (via CBN), the mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paeshe posted at X (former Twitter) a joke quoting a supposed mathematical formula to reach 2.1 million people.
He had already done the same in 2024, when he was contested about the total audience of the Madonna in Copacabana. At the time, the estimate was 1.6 million people.
Other numbers
In relation to the presentation of Lady Gaga, international vehicles such as Variety and Hollywood Reporter (via CBN) even estimated an even larger audience of 2.5 million fans in Copacabana.
As well as the city of Rio, the company Bonus trackproducer of the event, released 2.1 million as the official public.
+++ Read more: FBI investigates case of scammer who went through Lady Gaga to buy painting
+++ Read more: the problem that spoiled the Lady Gaga show in Rio for many, according to newspaper
+++ Read more: the 10 largest shows in music history
+++ Follow Rolling Stone Brasil @rollingstonebrasil on Instagram
+++ Follow journalist Igor Miranda @igormirandasite on Instagram
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
