On May 3, 2025, Lady Gaga delivered the performance of a lifetime—and of historic proportions—on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. In front of an estimated 2.1 to 2.5 million fans, Gaga’s free concert wasn’t just a musical spectacle—it became the most attended live show by a female artist in history, eclipsing the previous record set by Madonna in 2024.
A Moment of Music History on the Beach
The Copacabana concert was a seismic cultural event. The sheer size of the crowd turned Rio’s iconic beach into a sea of fans, with people arriving from across Brazil and beyond to witness the once-in-a-generation performance. The open-air show marked Lady Gaga’s first time performing in Brazil since 2012, and followed the cancelation of her planned 2017 show due to health concerns.
Gaga treated the crowd to a mix of hits and new material, opening with “Disease” from her latest album Mayhem and closing the show with a thunderous encore of “Bad Romance” that left fans singing well into the night. Throughout the evening, she proudly waved the Pride flag, dedicating the performance to the LGBTQ+ community—an act that resonated deeply in a country where queer rights remain a contentious issue.
A Message of Love Amidst Threat
The concert wasn’t without tension. Just days before the event, Brazilian authorities arrested two individuals plotting to attack the concert using explosives. Reports indicate the suspects were part of an extremist group targeting LGBTQ+ individuals. Police credit intelligence work and surveillance for intercepting the plot in time. Despite the threat, the concert proceeded without interruption, becoming not just a celebration of music, but of resilience, solidarity, and safety through unity.
Gaga addressed the incident in a heartfelt social media post afterward, thanking Brazilian police and expressing how “love triumphed over fear” that night.
Mayhem: Gaga’s Genre-Bending New Era
The concert served as a high-profile stage for songs from Mayhem, Lady Gaga’s seventh studio album, which dropped on March 7, 2025. The album sees Gaga return to her experimental roots, blending dark synth-pop with elements of industrial rock, dance, and soul.
Notable Tracks:
- “Die With A Smile” – A fiery duet with Bruno Mars that soared to No. 1 in over 25 countries.
- “Disease” – A gritty, introspective anthem that explores personal demons through distorted synths and haunting visuals in its music video.
- “Abracadabra” – Debuted at the 2025 Grammys, the theatrical song stages a symbolic battle between light and dark versions of Gaga—echoed again in her Coachella set.
The album has been praised by critics for its emotional vulnerability, sonic ambition, and fearless aesthetic, drawing comparisons to her Born This Way and Chromatica eras—but with a sharper, darker edge.
Coachella and Beyond: A Career on Fire
Just weeks before Rio, Gaga headlined Coachella 2025, delivering a four-act spectacle that pushed visual storytelling in live music to new heights. The performance included a surprise appearance by French electronic producer Gesaffelstein and a reworked version of “Abracadabra” that quickly went viral on social media for its cinematic flair.
The Mayhem Ball Tour: What’s Next
While the Copacabana concert was a standalone event under Rio’s initiative to boost tourism through annual mega-concerts, Gaga is also in the midst of her Mayhem Ball world tour. Here’s a look at where she’s headed next:
- Singapore: May 18, 19, 21, and 24 at the National Stadium.
- United States: Beginning in July, with stops in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York City, Miami, and more.
- Canada: Toronto in September.
- Europe: A full tour leg through London, Milan, Berlin, Paris, and other major cities starting late September.
- Australia: Due to overwhelming demand, a second date was added in Melbourne for December 6, joining Sydney dates in the same month.
Broadcast and Cultural Impact
The Rio concert was broadcast live on Brazil’s TV Globo and its streaming platforms, earning widespread acclaim for its production quality and emotional resonance. Viewers praised the camera work, especially during crowd-sweeping drone shots and intimate close-ups of Gaga at the piano.
Gaga also paid tribute to Brazilian culture with samba-infused interludes, a nod to local legends, and visuals inspired by Carnival and Afro-Brazilian art—solidifying her reputation as a global artist who embraces the places she performs in.
Lady Gaga’s Copacabana Beach concert wasn’t just a musical event—it was a cultural milestone. From setting global attendance records to standing tall in the face of threats, the night reaffirmed her position as not only a pop icon, but a force for unity, celebration, and fearless self-expression on the world stage.
Other Lady Gaga Projects – The Joker
In other recent Lady Gaga projects, she was one of the co-lead actors in Joker: Folie à Deux, which adds a bold new layer to the saga by transforming the gritty drama into a surreal musical. The sequel is now streaming on Max, with subscription plans starting at $9.99/month. For those who prefer not to subscribe, it’s also available to rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital platforms.
Lady Gaga joins the cast as Harleen Quinzel (Harley Quinn), a reimagined version of the character made famous in DC lore. Her chemistry with Phoenix’s Joker brings a tragic, theatrical flair to the sequel’s Arkham-set love story. The film uses musical numbers to visualize the characters’ fractured mental states—marking a bold departure from the first film’s bleak realism.
Where to Stream Both Joker Films
The original *Joker* (2019) is currently available on Max and can also be rented or purchased via Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. As of December 13, 2024, *Joker: Folie à Deux* joined the Max catalog after its theatrical and digital debut. It is available to stream, rent, or buy depending on your preference.
Digital rental for the sequel began on October 29, 2024, with prices around $19.99 to rent and $24.99 to purchase. Viewers without a Max subscription can access the film on-demand through platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and YouTube Movies.
Lady Gaga’s Role in Joker: Folie à Deux
Lady Gaga portrays Harleen Quinzel, known in this universe as Lee, a fellow Arkham patient who forms a bond with Arthur Fleck. Her role blends psychological vulnerability with theatrical bravado, adding emotional depth and musical flair. The film includes dramatic renditions of songs like “Get Happy” and “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” delivered in stylized sequences that blur the line between fantasy and reality.
Her performance is at the heart of the sequel’s tone shift—from psychological thriller to psychological musical. Gaga’s portrayal has been praised even by some critics who were otherwise divided on the film’s bold creative risks.
Critical Reception and Box Office Results
Unlike its predecessor, *Joker: Folie à Deux* received mixed reactions. While some praised its audacity and musical direction, others criticized its narrative for lacking the clarity and grit that defined the original. It holds a 32% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and failed to match box office expectations, leading to reports of up to $200 million in losses on a $300 million budget.
Lady Gaga has since acknowledged the film’s polarizing reception, stating that not all creative risks pay off commercially—but that doesn’t make them less important artistically.
Key Differences Between the Two Joker Films
There’s a stark contrast between the 2019 *Joker* and its 2024 sequel. The original was a grounded, slow-burning psychological thriller rooted in social commentary. In contrast, *Folie à Deux* leans into stylized musical elements, with choreographed sequences and symbolic visuals representing Arthur’s fractured psyche.
The institutional setting of Arkham replaces Gotham’s streets as the primary backdrop. The story focuses less on societal collapse and more on shared delusion, as the title implies (“madness of two”). The dynamic between Joker and Harley Quinn is central to the film, emphasizing emotional codependency and psychosis.
Impact on the DC Universe
Although *Joker: Folie à Deux* is separate from the mainline DC Extended Universe (DCEU), it continues to shape public perception of what comic book films can be. Both Joker films offer mature, character-driven alternatives to traditional superhero fare. They focus on identity, trauma, and society’s failures rather than costumed crime-fighting.
Rumors of a separate Joker series involving Barry Keoghan’s character from *The Batman* continue to circulate, but no official announcement has been made. As of now, *Folie à Deux* and its predecessor remain standalone entries in a darker, auteur-driven corner of the DC multiverse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joker: Folie à Deux released?
Yes. The film premiered in theaters on October 4, 2024, followed by digital availability on October 29, and streaming on Max starting December 13, 2024.
Where can I stream Joker: Folie à Deux?
The sequel is currently streaming on Max. You can also rent or buy it on services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Can I still stream the 2019 Joker film?
Yes, the original *Joker* (2019) remains available on Max and other rental platforms. Watching it first provides important context for Arthur Fleck’s character before diving into the sequel.
Is there a Joker series in development?
There are no confirmed Joker series currently in production. However, rumors persist about Barry Keoghan’s Joker getting a spinoff related to *The Batman* universe, but Warner Bros. has not made any official announcements.
Do I need a subscription to watch the Joker movies?
No. While a Max subscription offers access to both films, you can also rent or purchase them without a subscription through video-on-demand platforms such as Prime Video and Apple TV.
