Taylor Swift has decided to postpone one of her Eras Tour concerts in Rio de Janeiro following the tragic death of a 23-year-old fan during her Friday night show, according to a message shared on the singer's Instagram.
"I'm writing this from my dressing room in the stadium. The decision has been made to postpone tonight's show due to the extreme temperatures in Rio," the singer explained in a handwritten note on Instagram. "The safety and well-being of my fans, fellow performers, and crew has to and always will come first."
The cause of death for Ana Clara Benevides Machado, the young woman who sought medical attention at Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium during Friday's show, is still unknown. The office of Rio's public prosecutor has initiated a criminal investigation and Benevides' body is currently being examined.
Benevides' passing has deeply affected many people in Brazil. She had taken her first ever flight to travel from the country's center-west region to Rio in order to see her favorite musician. Additionally, she had created a WhatsApp group to keep her family updated, sending photos and videos every step of the way, as per family members who spoke to online news site G1.
Fans and politicians expressed their anger and shock over the tragic death, suggesting that it may have been caused by the extreme heat.
Attendees of the concert complained about not being allowed to bring water into the stadium despite the oppressive weather. As temperatures continued to rise on Saturday, and with two more shows scheduled, authorities announced that free water would now be provided at concerts and other large events.
A friend of Benevides, who also attended the concert, told local media that they had both been given water while waiting to enter the stadium.
In an earlier statement posted on her social media, Swift expressed her heartbreak over the incident.
"I have very limited information, but she was incredibly beautiful and far too young," the singer wrote about the young woman.
Fans who attended the Friday show said they were not allowed to bring water bottles into the stadium even though Rio and most of Brazil have had record-breaking temperatures this week amid a dangerous and lasting heat wave. The daytime high in Rio on Friday was 39.1 degrees Celsius (102.4 degrees Fahrenheit), but it felt much hotter.
Apparent temperature — a combination of temperature and humidity — hit 59 C (138 F) Friday morning in Rio, the highest index ever recorded there.
Elizabeth Morin, 26, who recently moved to Rio from Los Angeles, described "sauna-like" conditions inside the stadium.
"It was extremely hot. My hair got so wet from sweat as soon as I came in," she said. "There was a point at which I had to check my breathing to make sure I wasn't going to pass out."
Morin said she drank plenty of water but saw "a good amount of people looking distressed" and others "yelling for water." She said she was able to get water from the sidelines of the area she was standing in, but that water was a lot harder to access from other parts of the stadium, "especially if you were concerned about losing your specific position."
During the show, Swift paused her performance and asked from the stage for water to be brought to a group of people who had successfully caught the singer's attention, according to Morin.
"They were holding up their phones saying 'We need water,'" she recalled.
Concertgoers Experience Heat Exhaustion During Taylor Swift Show
During a recent Taylor Swift concert in Rio de Janeiro, two concertgoers experienced heat exhaustion due to the intense heat. The Associated Press interviewed these individuals who witnessed people feeling unwell from the heat during the show.
Prior to the concert, one of the concertgoers, Benevides, sent a video to her family members, expressing her excitement about being on the plane to Rio. She shared her joy with them, exclaiming, "Mom, look at the plane, it's moving. Mom, I'm on the plane. My God in heaven! I'm happy!" The video was broadcast by TV channel Globo News.
Benevides also posted a video on her Instagram account before the concert. In the video, she can be seen wearing a Taylor Swift T-shirt and friendship bracelets, seeking shade under an umbrella while waiting in line to enter the stadium. Like Benevides, thousands of fans waited for hours in the sun before being allowed inside.
According to Benevides, she arrived at the stadium at 11 a.m., even though the show didn't start until around 7:30 p.m. She expressed her frustration to her followers, fanning her face and stating that she was "still in the mess."
During the concert, Benevides' friend, Menin, revealed that Benevides passed out at the beginning of the show, specifically during Swift's performance of "Cruel Summer." Menin shared with online news site G1 that they had always wanted to attend a Taylor Swift concert in Brazil and despite the expensive ticket prices, they managed to find a way.
Justice Minister Flávio Dino announced on social media that starting now in Brazil, concert and festival attendees will be allowed to bring water bottles for personal use, as long as they are made of suitable material. He also stated that show producers must provide free and easily accessible drinking water to the audience.
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes expressed his outrage on social media over the tragic death of a young woman at a recent show, calling it "unacceptable." He demanded that more brigades and ambulances be present at future events to prevent such incidents.
As a result of the incident, the concert has been postponed.
Hely Olivares, a 41-year-old Venezuelan who had traveled from Panama to attend the concert, expressed disappointment, saying, "We are on the train. And everyone is so disappointed."
Prior to the postponement, the artist, Swift, took to Instagram to address the tragedy. She mentioned that she would not discuss the incident during the show due to her overwhelming grief. However, she expressed her deep sorrow and extended her condolences to the victim's family and friends.
