Mom of Taylor Swift fan who died after show criticizes lack of support from concert organizers

vt-author-image

By Nasima Khatun

Article saved!Article saved!

The mother of the Taylor Swift fan who tragically passed away at a recent concert has spoken out about the lack of support the family has received from the concert organizors.

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 South American leg of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.

Fohla De Sao Paolo initially reported that the 23-year-old initially passed out before being treated at the venue by medical staff. She was later transported to a nearby 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.

Upon finding out the news of the tragedy, the 33-year-old pop superstar took to her Instagram Stories to express her sadness.

wp-image-1263237392 size-full
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 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 say 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.

Just a few days later, Swift also dedicated an emotionally charged rendition of her hit 'Bigger Than The Whole Sky' from her Midnights album which left fans sobbing in the audience and online.

In the wake of the tragedy, Benevides' parents have now spoken out about the loss of their daughter.

Speaking to Fohla De Sao Paolo, the Swiftie's father 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."

wp-image-1263237680 size-full
Taylor Swift performing at an Eras Tour show. Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty/TAS Rights Management

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."

Now, Benevides' mother has given further insight into the alleged lack of support the family has received from the concert organizers.

According to local media outlet Fantástico, the South American promoter Time For Fun (T4F) responsible for holding the shows has not offered any assistance in bringing the 23-year-old home, despite them alleging that they extended the hand for psychological assistance.

In a translated version of the interview, the heartbroken mother said: "The people at the show, who put it together, are not giving us support to bring her home.

"I know that these things don't even go through the singers, the artists don't even know about it.

"But we wanted them to give us the support, to bring her home. Because, unfortunately, we are paying for everything. And my daughter hasn't arrived yet."

In a video posted to X, the mom also thanked people for their support while they crowdfunded to help with the ongoing costs of putting her daughter to rest.

"Yesterday we started a crowdfunding asking for help. Thank God, we reached the goal this morning," she said in the clip. "We got an amount that allows us to do everything we wanted. Thank God, a lot of people have donated and I wanted God to bless all of you."

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.

Featured Image Credit: John Shearer/Getty