Pop sensation Taylor Swift has decided to postpone a scheduled concert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, following the tragic death of a fan just before her show on Friday.
The decision was made as thousands of fans had already gathered at the stadium as part of Swift’s record-breaking Eras tour.
“The safety and well-being of my fans, fellow performers, and crew has to and always will come first,” Swift expressed her condolences in an Instagram post.
She described her heart as “shattered” over the loss, emphasizing the fan’s youth and beauty.
The 23-year-old fan, Ana Clara Benevides Machado, sought help at the stadium after feeling unwell, according to organizers.
She was transferred to the hospital, but passed away an hour later due to cardiorespiratory arrest.
Swift, 33, expressed her deep grief, stating, “I can’t even tell you how devastated I am by this.”
She mentioned feeling overwhelmed by grief and unable to speak about the incident from the stage during the concert.
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The unusual heatwave in Brazil, with a recorded heat index of 59.7C on Saturday, prompted health alerts, and authorities issued warnings about the life-threatening conditions.
Swift’s show on Monday is set to proceed as planned.
Videos and images on social media showed Swift urging stadium staff to provide water to fans during the concert, throwing water bottles into the crowd at one point.
Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes and Brazil’s Justice Minister Flávio Dino voiced their concerns about the incident on social media, demanding changes such as increased water distribution points and more emergency services.
Swift, on her record-breaking tour in Brazil, is set to play two more shows in Rio before heading to Sao Paulo.
Her UK tour is scheduled for June 2024, including performances in Edinburgh, London, Liverpool, and Cardiff.