BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: The Brazilian entertainment company T4F has found itself in the midst of controversy as criticism mounts over their refusal to permit Taylor Swift fans to bring water into the venue during her Eras Tour show in Brazil on November 17.
The controversy and furious reactions from fans come after a heartbreaking incident where one of the singer's young fans, 23-year-old Ana Clara Benevides, tragically passed away from a cardiac arrest during Swift's initial performance in the country.
T4F conveys 'sincere condolences' to the victim's family
T4F, short for Time For Fun stands as a prominent Brazilian entertainment company, is one of the world's largest live entertainment companies.
In 2009, T4F earned the prestigious Top International Promoter award at the Billboard Touring Awards. The company engages in various sectors, including concerts, theaters, art events, family entertainment, and football, operating in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
At present, T4F manages five of the most significant entertainment venues in South America. Notably, four of these venues secured spots among the among the top 35 venues worldwide in terms of the number of tickets sold in 2011, according to Pollstar.
T4F, the organizers of the event, issued a statement addressing the ongoing heatwave. They reassured attendees of the second show at Nilton Santos stadium that water stations would be easily accessible, ensuring their convenience and comfort.
T4F's statement read: “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Ana Clara Benevides Machado, 23. Last night, Ana Clara felt unwell and was promptly attended to by the team of firefighters and paramedics, being taken to the medical center at the Nilton Santos Stadium for first aid protocol.
“Given the situation, the medical team chose to transfer her to Salgado Filho Hospital, where, after almost an hour of emergency care, she unfortunately died,” they continued. “To the family and friends of Ana Clara Benevides, our sincere condolences,” per The Independent.
Irrespective of their detailed statement and the prestige of the company, numerous Swift fans are taking to social media to express their discontent with the company.
Fans say T4F 'will burn in hell'
Many Swift fans have voiced their dissatisfaction with the company on X, formerly Twitter. One person tweeted, "I hope no artist ever signs a contract with T4F again."
Another wrote, "What they did was totally inhuman and disgusting, it can't be that Taylor has to go around giving out bottles of water to the others, they didn't move a hair, and that on top of that there is a deceased girl. latam supports you, and stands by you, brazil ??. T4F WE DEMAND RESPECT."
The post included a clip of Taylor handing out water bottles while singing.
One wrote with utter disappointment, "Simply t4f trying to keep the chaos down so the t team wouldn't know that the situation was as bad as yesterday." The post accompanied photos of an attendee's arm post-concert, seemingly covered in burns.
A fourth tweet read, "T4f you will burn in hell," while a fifth said, "My report on all the absurdity I experienced today at the hands of T4F and the local medical team. they ended the dream of my life and made it a terrible trauma."
Taylor Swift herself has conveyed her sorrow over the loss of a fan and has decided to postpone her Brazil shows due to the extreme temperatures.
