Taylor Swift has left her fans in tears after dedicating a heartbreaking tribute to a fan who died at a recent concert.
It was reported by Fohla De Sao Paolo that Ana Clara Benevides tragically passed away after arriving at the Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Friday (November 17) for the 33-year-old’s concert.
The Brazilian news outlet also added that the 23-year-old initially passed out at the venue before being treated there by medical staff. She was later transported to hospital where she died. Her cousin, Estela Benevides, added that Benevides ultimately died due to cardiorespiratory arrest, though no official cause of death has been disclosed yet.
Taking to her Instagram Stories after being made aware of the incident when it first happened, Swift addressed the news with a heartbreaking statement telling fans that she was utterly “devastated.”
Credit: Instagram
“I can’t even tell you how devastated I am by this. I can’t believe that 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 said in a hand-written statement. “I can’t even tell you how devastated I am by this.”
She continued: “There’s very little information I have, other than the fact that she was so incredibly beautiful and far too young.”
The star went on to elaborate, saying that she was going to refrain from talking about the incident, before sending love to the fan’s family and friends.
“This is the last thing I thought would happen when we decided to bring this tour to Brazil,” Swift concluded.
Taylor Swift’s Eras tour is currently in South America. Credit: Buda Mendes/TAS23/Getty
Taylor Swift’s Eras tour is currently in South America. Credit: Buda Mendes/TAS23/Getty
It has been three days since Benevides’ death and now the singer has taken to the stage once again to dedicate a surprise song to the late fan.
In a heartbreaking video posted to TikTok by a fan who saw the performance live in Rio, an emotional Swift sang ‘Bigger Than The Whole Sky’ from her Midnights album so she could grieve the loss of one of her Swifties.
Have a look at the emotionally-charged performance below:
@sweetyhigh Bigger Than The Whole Sky 🕊️ We love you Taylor 🤍 – 🎥: gustavo.gual – #taylorswift #tstheerastour #riotstheerastour #riodejaneiro #taylorswiftbrazil #brazil #swifttok #swifties #fyp
Have a look at the emotionally-charged performance below:
“Literally my top 1 song from Midnights. RIP Anna,” wrote one user.
“I’ve heard several ppl doubting that she’d play this song as a surprise song but this is who she is. Of course, she’d play a tribute to Ana! RIP Ana!”, wrote another.
A third also pointed out the “passion in her voice,” while this user stated: “This is incredibly heartbreaking.”
Others also couldn’t help but get emotional over the situation themselves, with this TikToker commenting: “WAS BAWLING MY EYES OUT HEARING THIS OVER A LIVE STREAM,” and another adding: “My heart is aching.”
Benevides’s death came as fans in the stadium battled the blistering heat and humidity throughout the duration of Friday’s show. Reuters reported that Rio de Janeiro hit a record high of the heat index at 59.3C, with water bottles and hydration stations allegedly being few and far between at the venue.
In the wake of the tragedy, the fan’s father has spoken out, emphasizing his concern about the alleged reasons that led to the medical emergency.
Speaking to Fohla De Sao Paolo, Weiny Machado said: “I lost my only daughter, a happy and intelligent girl. She was about to graduate in Psychology next April.
“I want it to be found out whether they were in fact prohibited from bringing water, whether there was negligence in providing assistance,” he continued. “I know that the singer was handing out water to her fans, and that is absurd for an event of this size.”
Despite mentioning the conditions, he also added that “nothing will bring my daughter back” but he hopes that “…if negligence is confirmed, someone will be punished, so that this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with Benevides’ loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
