While Rio officials celebrate an alleged 2.1 million attendees at Lady Gaga's Copacabana concert, experts question the accuracy of these figures. The BBC Verify team finds it implausible that such a large crowd could fit on the beach, raising concerns over data measurement transparency.
Unpacking the Attendance Controversy: Was Lady Gaga's Rio Concert Really A 2.1m Affair?
Unpacking the Attendance Controversy: Was Lady Gaga's Rio Concert Really A 2.1m Affair?
BBC Verify investigates the staggering claim of 2.1 million attendees at Lady Gaga's performance in Rio de Janeiro, challenging the city's reported attendance figures.
After a recent Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach sparked debate over its reported attendance figures, BBC Verify sought to uncover the truth behind the claim of 2.1 million attendees. The concert was part of an effort by local officials to stimulate the city's struggling economy, with expectations that the event could generate over $100 million (£75 million) for the area.
Fans reportedly traveled from various parts of Brazil to witness the elaborate show. Following the concert, Rio officials proudly touted the attendance number as a monumental success. However, the team at BBC Verify, along with crowd density experts, have cast doubt on this figure. Their analysis suggests that accommodating 2.1 million people would necessitate utilizing the entire stretch of Copacabana beach, rather than just a designated area.
In spite of these findings, city officials continue to uphold their attendance claims, yet they have not provided clarity on the methodology used to calculate the numbers. For those intrigued by the debate, a detailed analysis can be viewed in the accompanying video produced by Mohamed Shalaby and Kevin Nguyen, complemented with graphics by Mesut Ersoz.
