Imagine the shock and dismay that swept through the crowd when Taylor Swift, the pop music phenomenon famed for her dazzling performances, nearly passed out on stage during her 1989 concert tour. This dramatic event, which unarguably marked a moment in the star’s storied career, has left fans and music enthusiasts buzzing with questions.
The 1989 Tour is Swift’s fourth worldwide concert tour to promote and support her fifth studio album “1989” released in 2014. The album was named after Taylor Swift’s birth year, which is said to signify a symbolic rebirth of her image and artistry. What could have triggered this unexpected event?
Here’s Why Taylor Swift Nearly Passed Out During Her 1989 Tour
During her 1989 Tour in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Taylor Swift, who was also grappling with an eating disorder at the time, came close to fainting while on stage. This raised concerns among both fans and well-wishers. The challenging situation was aggravated by the intense heat and poor ventilation at the venue, affecting not only Swift but also the entire audience.
Cultura Colectiva also reported that video footage showed Swift having difficulty breathing, drenched in sweat, and gasping for air after her performances. The heat at the venue was said to be around 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit).
As per a report from People, video clips posted on platform X depicted a moment when Taylor Swift halted her performance. She requested organizers to distribute water to the audience since they were prohibited from bringing their own water into the concert venue. Following this request, Swift experienced a near-fainting incident.
Tragically, before the concert, a 23-year-old fan, named Ana Clara Benevides Machado, reportedly felt unwell at the venue while waiting for the concert to begin.
She was immediately attended to by firefighters and paramedics who were present at the venue before being transferred to Salagdo Filho Hospital, where she unfortunately died. The stated cause of death was cardio respiratory arrest.
Taylor Swift, overwhelmed by the tragic loss, suspended her next show and 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. I can’t even tell you how devastated I am by this. There’s very little information I have other than the fact that she was so incredibly beautiful and far too young, I’m not going to be able to speak about this from stage because I feel overwhelmed by grief when I even try to talk about it. I want to say now I feel this loss deeply and my broken heart goes out to her family and friends.”
Fans observed that despite the intense heat due to the weather and poor ventilation, Taylor Swift’s performance and outfits were not adapted to the high temperatures inside the venue. She continued to perform the entire set in her usual Eras Tour costumes, which some attendees felt looked heavy and uncomfortable given the circumstances.
According to fan posts on social media, claims were made that the elevated temperature at the venue was exacerbated by the stadium’s partially enclosed structure. This enclosure was apparently intended to prevent non-ticket holders from watching the concert, but it also hindered effective air circulation. This decision by the organizers was heavily criticized, especially since the concert was already sold out, and a previously released concert film meant many had already seen the show.
Although Taylor Swift is greatly loved by her fans, the tragic event during her 1989 tour affected her career in some way. Her decision to suspend her next show to grieve and pay some respect to the deceased fan, didn’t sit well with some fans who had bought tickets and traveled long distances for the show.
Swift also faced criticism by some Brazilians, for failing to help the family of her deceased fan in planning and funding the funeral.
Amidst criticism, Swift decided she needed some time off following her 1989 World Tour.
She probably needed some alone time to recharge and unwind, away from the bustle that accompanied the tour in Brazil. Taylor Swift affirmed this in an interview with the UK Magazine, saying:
I think I should take some time off,” I think people might need a break from me. I’m going to… I don’t know. Hang out with my friends. Write new music. Maybe not write new music. I don’t know.
Taylor Swift Made Some Big Bucks From Her 1989 Tour
It is no longer news that Taylor Swift’s fortune entirely rests on her musical career. However, the 1989 tour marked the beginning of a milestone in her finances. The tour saw Swift travel to different cities around the world while hosting concerts to the delight of her fans.
Bloomberg News’ analysis reveals that Swifts currently possesses a net worth of $1.1 billion. This feat is attributed to the 1989 tour. Deadline reported that “The tour is a major component of her fortune, with about $700 million in ticket sales for shows performed to date.”
In the US alone, the 1989 tour had 53 stops, contributing a great deal to the country’s gross domestic product. With 89 more shows left on the tour, Taylor Swift is likely to earn double what she has already made. According to Forbes, “At each stop on the Eras Tour, Swift is personally earning between $10 million and $13 million.”
Swift’s 1989 Tour got a lot of attention worldwide. If she finishes all her upcoming concerts, reports say she’ll make over $1 billion in sales. This would put her ahead of Elton John and make her the only woman on the list of tours making the most money.
Taylor Swift has long recovered from the incident in Rio de Janeiro. She went on to perform in several other concerts around the world. Her perseverance and resilience in the face of crisis are undaunted.
