In Rio de Janeiro, authorities and event organizers are predicting an attendance of at least two million people for Shakira's upcoming free concert at Copacabana beach on May 2. This massive turnout expectation comes from past events, including Madonna's concert, which drew 1.6 million attendees, and Lady Gaga's show, which attracted 2.1 million in previous years. Such large-scale events signify the immense cultural impact these artists have, especially in a city known for its vibrant festivals.

At a press conference, Lucas Padilha, the municipal secretary of culture, praised Shakira as the ideal artist for this year's concert, emphasizing her representation of not only global culture but also Latin culture, which he believes has the power to mobilize millions. This sentiment reflects the pride in Latin music and its ability to attract diverse audiences, highlighting the importance of cultural events in drawing international visitors and boosting local economies.

Furthermore, Danielle Barros, the regional culture secretary for the state of Rio de Janeiro, reiterated the importance of such events for community engagement and tourism. With huge crowds expected, there will likely be considerable logistical planning required to ensure safety and infrastructure can handle the influx of attendees, not to mention the excitement and anticipation surrounding Shakira's performance as she returns to Brazil, a country where she enjoys significant popularity.