In total, the show cost R$59.9 million — including fee and production costs. The artist’s fee alone was R$17.1 million. Even more expensive was international cargo transportation: R$20 million. In addition, this account also includes services, structure, hotel, team, stage, sound and light, taxes, fees and permissions.
Fun fact: the controversial VIP area was a device to make the megashow viable. As Luiz Oscar Niemeyer, the king of megashows in Brazil, told in an interview with Splashthe quota of a thousand guests was one of the exchanges offered to convince the state of Rio to pay the R$10 million sponsorship.
Niemeyer is the one behind the initiative to bring the singer to Brazil. The 67-year-old Rio native, nephew of architect Oscar Niemeyer, was the one who convinced Madonna to come to Brazil for the biggest show of her career. Secret negotiations began in 2021, but the plan only advanced when the Covid-19 pandemic began to recede. Once Madonna agreed to the invitation, production lasted three months and was frenetic.
Amid the dissemination of false information, Secom (Secretariat of Social Communication of the Presidency of the Republic) published a statement reinforcing that the federal government did not sponsor the show. “This fabrication of fake news is not only irresponsible, but dangerous, especially when it diverts attention from critical issues, such as the ongoing tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul”, says the text.
*With report published on 05/03/2024
