She’s been known as the Queen of Pop throughout her decades-long career.
And on Saturday night, Madonna reminded the world exactly why that is – pulling in a record-breaking crowd of 1.6 million fans for an epic concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach.
The Vogue hitmaker took to Instagram yesterday with a clip from the history-making show and captioned it: ‘Blame it on Rio. Thank You, Brazil!!’
Such was the interest in the pop legend, who rolled back the years by appearing in trademark risque outfits including a catsuit and negligee, that the city was brought to a standstill by the crowds.
Madonna has been known as the Queen of Pop throughout her decades-long career
On Saturday night, Madonna reminded the world exactly why that is – pulling in a record-breaking crowd of 1.6 million fans for an epic concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach
The Vogue hitmaker took to Instagram yesterday with a clip from the history-making show and captioned it: ‘Blame it on Rio. Thank You, Brazil !!’ Pictured: Madonna with a dancer
The number of people who rocked up for the event – the last of her Celebration world tour – was equivalent to four or five times the population of some small countries, including Iceland and Barbados.
The 65-year-old’s free concert saw the beach transformed into a gigantic dancefloor. There was a carnival atmosphere, reportedly without incident, as crowds descended in their droves to party to her iconic tracks, including Holiday and Like A Virgin.
The Rio turnout eclipsed her previous record attendance of 130,000 fans at Paris’s Parc des Sceaux in 1987 by more than ten-fold.
During the show, Madonna, who was joined on stage by special guests including Diplo, Anitta, Pabllo Vittar and Bob the Drag Queen, gushed: ‘Here we are in the most beautiful place in the world. This place is magic.’
She also had her usual controversial moments, including passionately grabbing and kissing a female dancer.
The number of people who rocked up for the event – the last of her Celebration world tour – was equivalent to four or five times the population of some small countries, including Iceland and Barbados
The star looked the part in a fitted catsuit paired with reflective sunglasses and matching gloves.
In one costume change, she wore a red and black lace negligee and in a tribute to the football-mad country, slipped into a Brazil football shirt to the delight of the vast audience.
Plenty were dressed up for the occasion with everything from homemade cone bras like the star’s iconic Jean Paul Gaultier bustier, blonde wigs and leather corsets.
Shortly before the performance, Visit Rio, the city’s tourism board, had alerted fans of the concert on social media, posting: ‘It’s time to get ready! On May 4, the Queen of Pop arrives in Rio de Janeiro for a free and historic show at Copacabana Beach.
‘Madonna ends The Celebration Tour here in the Marvelous City, celebrating 40 years of her career with a show that promises to be her biggest.’
