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Taylor Swift has for the first time shared her emotional response to the attack threat that led to the cancellation of her Vienna tour dates earlier this month. She took to Instagram to express her feelings of fear and guilt over the incident.
Swift was scheduled to perform three concerts in Vienna on August 8, 9, and 10 at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion. The shows were however cancelled due to a threat linked to the Islamic State group. Authorities arrested three individuals in connection with the plot.
Reflecting on the incident, Swift wrote, "Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating. 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". M
Swift also expressed her gratitude towards the authorities saying, "I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives."
The European leg of the tour concluded with eight shows at Wembley Stadium in London, where Swift set a new record for the most nights performed by a solo artist at the venue. The final show at Wembley was described by Swift as a "beautiful dream sequence," a stark contrast to the fear and uncertainty that surrounded the Vienna dates.
Swift's decision to speak out about the Vienna threat now, after the conclusion of her European tour, was a deliberate one. She explained, "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."
In her Instagram post, Swift also praised her team and the British authorities for their efforts in ensuring the safety of her concerts in London. "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."
As Swift prepares for the next leg of her tour in the United States, starting in Miami on October 18, her fans can take solace in her commitment to their safety and her determination to continue performing despite the challenges. "In cases like this one, 'silence' is actually showing restraint, and waiting to express yourself at a time when it's right to," she concluded.
