It looks like Taylor Swift will remain in Brazil for the Thanksgiving holiday rather than traveling back to the states to visit family. The singer’s tour dates have unexpectedly changed this week following the death of 23-year-old Ana Clara Benevides Machado at her concert on Friday, November 17, after she collapsed at the Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos. The country was experiencing an extreme heat wave and Swift’s team made the decision to postpone Saturday’s performance to Monday.
The change in schedule has truncated Swift’s time off between shows. She had reportedly intended to fly home to watch Travis Kelce play with his team the Kansas City Chiefs, but with planned shows in São Paulo starting Friday, that was not possible. She arrived in the new city on Tuesday afternoon.
A source said before the apparent decision Page Six, “The Brazil concerts…She is devastated about a fan dying…The weather is extreme. It’s a mess she didn’t expect. It’s been a traumatic experience. It’s been a lot. She is going to decide today.”
They added that traveling “could end up being too much” for Swift. She is currently accompanied by her father, Scott, so she is not without family during this challenging time.
After Machado’s death, Swift wrote in her Instagram Story,“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. 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.”
She added, “I want to say now I feel this loss deeply and my broken heart goes out to her family and friends. This is the last thing I ever thought would happen when we decided to bring this tour to Brazil.”
The star has also been leaning on Kelce, according to a source speaking with Us Weekly.
“She is so grateful she’s had Travis,” said the insider. “He’s been a huge support system for her right now. Her family has been there, but it’s different to have a boyfriend to lean on.”
Aimée Lutkin is the weekend editor at ELLE.com. Her writing has appeared in Jezebel, Glamour, Marie Claire and more. Her first book, The Lonely Hunter, will be released by Dial Press in February 2022.