TAYLOR Swift has shared a statement about the terrifying ISIS terrorist plot that forced her to cancel three sold-out shows.
Earlier this month, two people were arrested after planning an attack on the Ernest Happel Stadium in Vienna, where the superstar had shows scheduled for that weekend.
Taylor Swift has spoken out following the terrorist threats before her Vienna showsGetty Images – Getty
Instagram/taylorswiftThe superstar shared her statement on Instagram[/caption]
GettyHer shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Vienna had to be canceled[/caption]
Swift shared that she was “devastated” in a statement nearly two weeks after canceling the three sold-out shows due to the foiled plot.
She posted the message in a European tour leg round-up on Instagram after her last show at London’s Wembley Stadium.
“Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating,” Taylor 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.”
She went on to show her thanks to police for stopping the terrorists.
“But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives,” she said.
The Grammy-award-winning singer noted that her delay in releasing a statement was for the safety of her fans.
“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,” she wrote.
“In cases like this one, ‘silence’ is actually showing restraint, and waiting to express yourself at a time when it’s right to.”
Barracuda Music, the event organizers, posted on Instagram Stories at the time that they had “no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety.
“All tickets will be automatically refunded.”
One of the suspects was a 19-year-old man who allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS in July, per the New York Post.
Both men, who allegedly radicalized themselves online, had plans to attack Swift’s shows in Vienna, Austria.
“A concrete threat has been averted. The suspected perpetrator was focused on the Taylor Swift concerts. Preparatory actions were detected,” said Austrian Director General for Public Safety Franz Ruf.
Following the arrests, police found chemicals and investigators are trying to determine if they could have been used to build a bomb.
CANCELED SHOWS
Swift was scheduled to perform at the stadium on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for the international portion of her massive sell-out The Eras Tour.
TAYLOR SWIFT’S FULL STATEMENT
Taylor Swift broke her silence about the planned terrorist attack on her sold-out shows in Vienna nearly two weeks after the foiled plot.
“In summation,” She began her statement on Instagram.
“We have officially wrapped the European leg of The Eras Tour.
“With it came the most passionate crowds I’ve ever played for, new traditions in the show, and an entirely new era added in. It was a more hectic pace than we’d done before, and I’m so proud of my crew/fellow performers for being able to physically perform that show and build our massive stage, take it apart, and make magic with so few days in between for recovery and travel.
“They’re the most impressive people I know and I’m so lucky they gave The Eras Tour their time, their energy, and their expertise.”
Swift then addressed the plots directly.
“Walking onstage in London was a rollercoaster of emotions,” she said.
“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.
“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.
“I decided that all of my energy had to go toward helping to protect the nearly half a million people I had coming to see the shows 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.
“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 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.
“And then London felt like a beautiful dream sequence,” she continued.
“All five crowds at Wembley Stadium were bursting with passion, joy, and exuberance. The energy in that stadium was like the most giant bear hug from 92,000 people each night, and it brought me back to a place of carefree calm up there.”
In a comment to the post, as the rest of the comments section is disabled, the star gushed more about the shows in London.
Before the cancelations, Ruf said security at the shows would be increased including K-9 units, bomb squads, and units with heavy weapons, per NBC News.
The three dates were expected to have 65,000 fans a day with 10,000 to 15,000 people outside of the area listening in, cops said.
In 2019, Swift said a terrorist attack at one of her shows was her “biggest fear,” per an essay for Elle.
“After the Manchester Arena bombing and the Vegas concert shooting, I was completely terrified to go on tour this time because I didn’t know how we were going to keep 3 million fans safe over seven months,” she shared.
“There was a tremendous amount of planning, expense, and effort put into keeping my fans safe.”
‘I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THERE’
Fans were shocked to learn about the terrorist threat and canceled shows.
The superstar rarely cancels shows and is known for performing even when she has a cold.
One fan shared how scary and sad they were to learn the news on X.
“I was terrified when I read the first news about a planned terrorist attack but now when we have official news I can’t believe that this is really happening, I mean obviously safety comes first but still I am so sad and mad that things like these happen… I was supposed to be there,” they said under a post from The Eras Tour Updates.
Taylor Swift is ‘in talks to add extra shows or film next music video in Vienna’
Taylor Swift is reportedly planning to repay Vienna fans after an ISIS-inspired terror plot forced the cancellation of her shows in Austria.
The U.S. Sun has spoken to a well-placed source close to the Cruel Summer star, who revealed she is “desperate” to make amends for the thousands of Swifties denied the chance to see the superstar in action in Vienna.
Swift was slated to dazzle in the Austrian capital earlier this month.
But after organizers pulled the plug, kind-hearted Taylor talked with her team about how to fill the void.
The U.S. Sun has been told there are three options, and a decision will be made in the next few weeks.
Insiders were keen to stress that the plans are in the “early” stages.
But the option of making her next video in Vienna has been discussed, along with potentially staging the first dates of the Eras tour 2025 in the city.
There is also the possibility of adding two new dates at the end of the resumption of her North American tour – her final show is on November 3 in Indianapolis – and starting them in the afternoon in the United States and beaming them live to the stadium in Vienna, where it would be around 9 pm.
“All the ideas are on the table,” the insider told The U.S Sun. “There have been many talks, and they are ongoing.”
Other users questioned the legitimacy of the cancelations before she spoke out.
“Are we absolutely sure this is confirmed?” fans wrote.
Some expressed their sympathies for those who lost their chance to see the star.
“Too bad, so many people traveled to attend the shows and now their dreams are crushed. Hope they manage to see her live someday,” another shared.
“What a horrible situation! And I feel so bad for everyone that had tickets!” wrote a third.
“My heart is breaking I’m so sorry to all the Vienna people,” a person expressed.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.
Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
