Taylor Swift expressed deep sorrow after a 23-year-old fan passed away prior to her “Eras Tour” concert in Brazil on Friday night. The 33-year-old artist, known for the hit “Anti-Hero,” shared the tragic news on her Instagram Story following the first of three performances at Rio de Janeiro’s Estádio Nilton Santos.
In the heartfelt post, the 12-time Grammy winner wrote, “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.” She continued, expressing her devastation at the loss of a young and beautiful fan, identified as Ana Clara Benevides, 23, according to the Brazilian newspaper Fohla de S Paulo.
Taylor Swift and Ana Clara Benevides (Credits: The US Sun)
The report revealed that Benevides, seated near the stage railing, experienced a cardiac arrest due to fainting caused by the intense heat. Thiago Fernandes, 22, a friend of the concertgoer, shared that Benevides was revived for 40 minutes before succumbing to another cardiac arrest on the way to a nearby hospital.
Swift, grappling with the tragedy, announced that she would not discuss the incident during her Saturday night performance, as she felt “overwhelmed by grief” when trying to address it. She extended her condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, emphasizing that this was the last thing she expected when bringing the tour to Brazil.
The unfortunate event occurred amid soaring temperatures in Rio de Janeiro, reaching 100 degrees. Swift, mindful of her fans’ well-being, repeatedly halted her performance to ensure they had access to water, responding to chants from the crowd. A video on social media captured Swift directing staff to provide water to fans in need.
The “End Game” artist, currently on the second leg of her sold-out global tour, is scheduled to perform in Rio on Saturday and Sunday before concluding the 2023 tour leg in São Paulo, Brazil. Following a holiday break, she plans to resume her tour in February 2024.
