Taylor Swift broke her silence on the alleged terror attack that was thwarted in Vienna, Austria earlier in August.
Three arrests were made in the case, and authorities said they believe the plot was inspired by the terrorist groups Islamic State and al-Qaida, according to The Guardian.
“Walking onstage in London was a rollercoaster of emotions. Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating,” she wrote on Instagram. The famous singer went on to explain the toll it took on her personally. “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 said.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 06: Taylor Swift leaves the “Poor Things” premiere at DGA Theater on December 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/GC Images) Getty Images
Investigators said chemical substances and other bomb-making materials were found during the raid of the main suspect’s home, The Guardian reported. Technical devices that reportedly indicated “concrete preparatory acts” in the “advanced stages” were uncovered, officials said.
Swift thanked those involved in preventing the alleged attack from unfolding.
“I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives,” she said.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 30: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Taylor Swift attends the London premiere of “RENAISSANCE: A Film By Beyoncé” on November 30, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood) Getty Images
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 15: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY AND NO COMMERCIAL USE AT ANY TIME. NO USE ON PUBLICATION COVERS). Taylor Swift performs on stage during the “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour” at Wembley Stadium on August 15, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images)
“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,” the singer wrote.
Swift revealed her involvement with local authorities.
“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,” she said.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO COVERS. Taylor Swift performs onstage during “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour” at Wembley Stadium on August 16, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by TAS2024/Getty Images)
The famous singer went on to explain that she was unable to speak on the matter as it was evolving.
“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 said.
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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 said. (RELATED: Police Foil ISIS Devotee Planning To Attack Taylor Swift Concert, Authorities Say)
This is the first statement Swift has publicly issued since news of the threat.
