Taylor Swift expressed deep sorrow after a fan passed away prior to her concert in Rio de Janeiro. The show's organizers, Time4Fun, reported that 23-year-old Ana Clara Benevides Machado received medical attention at the venue but unfortunately passed away at the hospital an hour later.
In an Instagram post before the concert, Swift conveyed her overwhelming grief and announced she wouldn't address the tragedy during the performance. She described herself as shattered by the loss, stating that the fan was incredibly beautiful and too young. Swift extended her sympathies to the fan's family and friends, expressing disbelief that such an unfortunate incident occurred during her tour in Brazil.
Reports from concertgoers indicated challenging conditions at the Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos, with fans chanting for water. Swift briefly paused the concert to provide water to the audience and threw bottles to fans while performing. In response to the incident, Brazil's justice minister, Flávio Dino, announced the implementation of emergency rules for water access at public events. Rio de Janeiro's mayor, Eduardo Paes, deemed the loss unacceptable and demanded additional safety measures for future shows.
As authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the fan's death, Swift will continue her tour with two shows in São Paulo before heading to the UK in June 2024. The UK leg of the tour includes performances in Edinburgh, Liverpool, Cardiff, and London, where she will be supported by the rock band Paramore. Swift, a highly successful artist, holds records as the most streamed female artist on Spotify and Apple Music and the highest-grossing female performer ever.