Lady Gaga ‘makes history’ after beating Madonna with world record-breaking concert

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Lady Gaga made global music history after 2.1 million people attended her free concert in Brazil, smashing Madonna’s record.

The pop star, 39, appeared at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night for her tour promoting her latest album, Mayhem, over a decade after she last performed in the Latin American country.

The stunt was subject to a mammoth security operation involving over 5,000 police officers and military personnel, a legion of drones and metal detectors as the Little Monsters queued up for hours to gain access to the event of the decade.

City officials have confirmed the concert was attended by millions, including over 500,000 tourists with hopes of boosting the local economy by $100m (£75m) to the local economy.

The Bad Romance hitmaker -real name Stefani Germanotta – gave an emotional speech to the roaring crowd.

She said: ‘Tonight we’re making history, but no one makes history alone. Without all of you, the incredible people of Brazil, I wouldn’t have this moment. Thank you for making history with me.

The Poker Face hitmaker addressed the crowd with a moving speech (Picture: WireImage) City official confirmed she broke Madonna’s previously held record (Picture: Getty) She last performed in Brazil in 2012 (Picture: Getty)

‘The people of Brazil are the reason I get to shine today. But of all the things I can thank you for, the one I am most grateful for is this: that you waited for me. You waited more than 10 years for me. Brazil, I’m ready. I’m going to give it my all.’

She was forced to cancel her Brazil concert in 2017 due to her fibromyalgia condition, which causes pain and fatigue.

During her triumphant return, her setlist included a range from her discography, from her 2011 hit Bloody Mary to her recent single Abracadabra.

The event took place during her Mayhem tour (Picture: Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Live Nation)