Taylor Swift Devastated by Death of Fan at Rio Concert
Pop star Taylor Swift is heartbroken after learning that a young woman died at her Eras Tour concert in Rio de Janeiro on Friday night. Ana Clara Benevides Machado, 23, passed away at the show, according to the Brazilian organizers.
“I can’t believe I’m writing these words but it is with a shattered heart that I say we lost a fan earlier tonight before my show,” Swift posted in an Instagram message several hours after the show. “I can’t even tell you how devastated I am by this. There’s very little information I have other than the fact that she was so incredibly beautiful and far too young. I want to say now I feel this loss deeply and my heart goes out to her family and friends. This is the last thing I ever thought would happen when we decided to bring this tour to Brazil.”
The cause of Machado’s death has not been announced, but local media reports from Brazil said she suffered cardiac arrest. In response to the tragic incident, Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes has demanded changes before Swift’s final two shows on Saturday and Sunday. He has ordered that the show producers add more water distribution points, open access to the show earlier to provide access to shade, and add ambulances.
This comes as Rio faces an excessive heat wave warning, with the heat index reaching 137 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday, the highest ever recorded in the city. Today, the temperature is set to hit 102 and feel like 113, according to Accuweather.
Swift, who paused her show to make sure fans were getting water, has been vocal about the situation. “There’s people that need water right here, maybe 30, 35, 40 feet back,” she said during the concert, pointing to a floor section in the crowd. “So whoever is in charge of giving them that, just make sure that happens.”
Her actions have garnered praise from fans and the public, and her response has shown a deep concern for the safety and well-being of her fans.
The tragic incident has left both Swift and her fans devastated, and the singer is currently focusing on supporting Machado’s family and friends during this difficult time.