Shakira draws 2M fans to Copacabana for massive free concert
Shakira brought an estimated 2 million fans to Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro over the weekend, performing a free concert that city officials say marked the largest audience of her career.
The Saturday performance, part of the Todo Mundo No Rio festival, brought fans from across Brazil and beyond to the beachfront, where the singer performed hits including "Hips Don’t Lie," "La Tortura" and "Waka Waka."
The Colombian musician addressed the crowd in Portuguese and reflected on her early visits to Brazil and her long connection to the country, according to The Associated Press.
"I arrived here when I was 18 years old, dreaming about singing for you,” she said on stage. "And now look at this. Life is magical."
Shakira was joined onstage by Brazilian artists including Anitta, Caetano Veloso and Ivete Sangalo.
A drone show featuring about 1,500 drones opened the concert.
City officials estimated the event generated about $161 million, benefiting hotels, restaurants and other local businesses.
Large-scale concerts at Copacabana Beach have become a draw for the city. In recent years, artists including Madonna and Lady Gaga have performed there for similarly large audiences.
The performance is part of Shakira’s "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran" world tour. Earlier this year, she performed for about 400,000 fans at a free concert in Mexico City's Zócalo.
Shakira is scheduled to bring the tour to the United States this summer, with a limited run of arena shows kicking off in California in June.
