Taylor Swift has broken her silence on the alleged terror attack plot that caused three of her shows to be cancelled.
The ‘Lover’ singer was set to play at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, Austria, earlier in August as part of the European leg of The Eras Tour, which concluded earlier this week.
However, police reportedly uncovered a plot by terrorists, with three people arrested in connection with allegedly planning attacks inspired by the Islamic State group.
Security was then ramped up at Wembley when the star returned to perform more London dates last week, with hundreds of guards surrounding the area.
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And now that she’s finished this European leg, Swift shared a lengthy statement reflecting on the 'devastating' time to Instagram.
She explained how it brought the ‘most passionate crowds’ she’s ever played for as she expressed how ‘proud’ she is of her crew and fellow performers.
The ‘Love Story’ singer went on to say how walking onstage in London ‘was a rollercoaster of emotions’.
“Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating," she wrote. "The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows.
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“But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives. I was heartened by the love and unity I saw in the fans who banded together.”
Swift explained that she decided all of her energy ‘had to go toward helping to protect the nearly half a million people’ coming to watch her in London.
The star added: “My team and I worked hand in hand with stadium staff and British authorities every day in pursuit of that goal, and I want to thank them for everything they did for us.”
Addressing her silence on the matter until now, she said: “Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows.
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“In cases like this one, ‘silence’ is actually showing restraint, and waiting to express yourself at a time when it’s right to. My priority was finishing our European tour safely, and it is with great relief that I can say we did that.”
Swift thanked her fans in Europe for the ‘adventure of a lifetime’ and said the energy at Wembley Stadium following the cancelled shows brought her ‘back to a place of carefree calm’.
Topics: Taylor Swift, Celebrity, Music, Instagram
Jess Battison