Scrutinizing the Numbers: Did 2.1 Million Attend Lady Gaga's Rio Concert?**

A recent investigation challenges the reported attendance figures of Lady Gaga's Rio concert, suggesting that the true numbers may not support the extravagant claims made by officials.**

In May, Lady Gaga performed at the iconic Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, a concert funded by the city as part of an ambitious effort to boost its economy. The attendance figure touted by city officials reached an impressive 2.1 million, a number aimed at demonstrating the concert's success and its financial potential, with estimates suggesting it could inject over $100 million (£75 million) into the local economy.

However, an in-depth examination by BBC Verify, alongside input from crowd density specialists, casts significant doubt on the veracity of this figure. They argue that fitting 2.1 million attendees on a segment of Copacabana Beach is logistically improbable, requiring the use of the entire stretch of beach to accommodate such a crowd comfortably. Despite these findings, officials in Rio have continued to uphold their attendance claims while failing to clarify how they derived their reported numbers.

This analysis raises important questions about the influence of economic narratives in promoting events intended to revitalize struggling areas, particularly in an era where such spectacles can have both a profound impact and an inflated perception of success.

For further insights, you can view the complete analysis conducted by the BBC team, featuring visualizations by Mesut Ersoz.