Taylor Swift canceled her show just hours before her stage appearance in Rio de Janeiro due to “extreme temperatures,” just a day after a 23-year-old fan died of cardiac arrest in the humid stadium.
“I’m writing this from my dressing room at the stadium. “Due to the extreme temperatures in Rio, the decision has been made to postpone tonight’s show,” she wrote in a handwritten post on Instagram.
“The safety and well-being of my fans, fellow artists and crew must and will always come first.”
Ana Clara Benevides fainted during the show and presumably suffered cardiac arrest. Despite the efforts of doctors on scene, Benevides was subsequently taken to hospital where she died.
According to the Weather Channel, the region is experiencing a record-breaking heat wave, with a daily high of about 103 degrees Fahrenheit, a heat index that feels like 125.
Taylor Swift canceled her show just hours before her stage appearance in Rio de Janeiro due to “extreme temperatures,” just a day after a 23-year-old fan died of cardiac arrest in the humid stadium
The concert organizers had previously announced far-reaching changes for the last concerts in Rio this weekend after Benevide’s death.
Angry Taylor Swift fans took aim at entertainment company Time For Fun (T4F) for banning concertgoers from drinking water in the humid venue on Friday.
Swifties blamed T4F for the 23-year-old’s death and posted their criticism on social media.
“You’re responsible for this!” They’re just banning water out of greed for profit!’ complained one fan.
“Water is vital and they not only banned it but also closed the air intakes to achieve “better acoustics”.
Taylor Swift’s concert promoters have announced sweeping changes to the weekend’s final Rio shows after a fan died and the company was accused of having blood on his hands
Ana Clara Benevides, 23, died in hospital from suspected cardiac arrest after being treated by medical personnel at the scene
Angry Taylor Swift fans targeted entertainment company Time For Fun (T4F) for banning concertgoers from bringing water into the humid venue
“Basically they cooked the people in the stadium alive because you don’t want to pay the minimum comfort for the fans who already pay a lot for a ticket. ‘Murderer!’
T4F, a Brazilian entertainment company considered the third largest live entertainment company in Latin America and one of the largest in the world, broke its silence on Saturday.
This came after keyboard warriors vilified the company and blamed them for the tragedy and terrible conditions.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Ana Clara Benevides Machado at the age of 23,” they wrote.
“Last evening, Ana Clara felt unwell and was taken by a team of emergency responders and paramedics to a medical center at Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium so that first aid protocol could be applied.”
On Saturday, videos emerged of people fanning themselves under umbrellas in line and pouring water into the venue after fans battled blistering heat and dehydration
Swifties blamed T4F for the 23-year-old’s death and posted their criticism on social media
“Given the situation, the medical team decided to transfer her to Salgado Filho Hospital.” After almost an hour of emergency care, she sadly passed away.
“We extend our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Ana Clara Benevides.”
Following calls for clarity on the actions taken following the tragedy, T4F released a further update announcing an action plan.
“Considering the predicted increase in the heat wave in the city of Rio de Janeiro, we inform you that we are reinforcing the special action plan carried out for the first day of the fair, in particular the provision of free water in the queues and at all entrances and entrances to the stadium and in Inside,” they wrote.
“New free water distribution points will be available to the public during the event.”
“Entry to the stadium with sealed glasses of water and sealed processed foods is also permitted, with no limit on items per person.”
After heated discussions online, T4F clarified in its post that the requirement for “sealed items follows security recommendations.”
“We also emphasize that the ban on entering stadiums with water bottles is a requirement of public bodies and that we do not sell drinks and food as this is the responsibility of the stadium management,” they added.
Ana Clara Benevides fainted during the show and presumably suffered cardiac arrest. Despite the efforts of doctors on scene, Benevides was subsequently taken to hospital where she died
Saddened by Benevide’s senseless death, Swiftie’s launched a petition on change.org that had garnered 153,224 signatures by midday Saturday to provide free water at events
The entertainment company said it would add 200 additional employees to its service staff, in addition to the 1,230 employees already working for the event.
“In addition, the medical care structure has been strengthened and includes a total of 8 available hospital wards, 8 ambulances and 8 mobile intensive care units,” they concluded.
But despite the measures, a post from Taylor said the show should be postponed.
On Saturday, videos emerged of people fanning themselves under umbrellas in line and pouring water into the venue after fans battled blistering heat and dehydration.
Taylor, who was visibly hot on stage and even stopped her performance midway to make sure fans were hydrated after hearing her scream “water, water” in disturbing scenes between a song break.
Saddened by Benevide’s senseless death, Swiftie’s launched a petition on change.org that had garnered 153,224 signatures by midday Saturday to provide free water at events.
“Brazil suffered an irreparable loss of the young Ana Benevides at a show in the state of Rio de Janeiro,” the petition description reads.
“According to third parties, the young woman’s death was due to extreme heat, where the sensation of heat reached 60° Celsius (140 F).
“In one of the most anticipated events of this year, we saw a death caused by pure negligence occur before our eyes.
After heated discussions online, T4F clarified in its post that the requirement for “sealed items follows security recommendations.”
Taylor, who was visibly hot on stage and even stopped her performance midway to make sure fans were hydrated after hearing her scream “water, water” in disturbing scenes between a song break
“Consumers in Brazil are exhausted from being disrespected by multi-million dollar companies that don’t care about the consumer.”
The petition called for free water and criticized the organizers and the role fans believe they played in the death.
“Nevertheless, here I am starting the campaign for the Ana Benevides Law, a law that guarantees free distribution at events,” it said.
“The events industry feels ashamed of the lack of responsibility shown by the company responsible for today’s event and would like to see a change so that such a tragedy does not happen again!”
Previously, Taylor broke her silence and remembered the fan as an “incredibly beautiful” person.
“I can’t believe I’m writing these words, but it’s with a broken heart that I say we lost a fan before my show tonight,” she wrote.
According to her Facebook, Benevides is studying at UFMT Rondonópolis
Taylor Swift broke her silence after Benevides died, remembering her as an “incredibly beautiful” person
“I can’t tell you how devastated I am about this. “I have very little information other than the fact that she was so incredibly beautiful and far too young.”
Swift was candid in her statement, revealing that she “will not be able to talk about this on stage” because she is “overwhelmed with grief.”
“I want to say now that I feel this loss deeply and my heartbreak goes out to her family and friends,” she added.
“That’s the last thing I ever thought would happen when we decided to bring this tour to Brazil.”