Taylor Swift faces backlash from Swifties over response to Vienna concert cancellations

Taylor Swift is facing significant backlash from fans worldwide after finally addressing the canceled concerts in Vienna, which were called off due to a terror threat. The pop star’s response has been criticized for what many see as a “lack of empathy” towards the 200,000 fans who were left stranded and incurred substantial financial losses.

The concerts, which were scheduled for August 8, 9, and 10, were canceled following a terror threat revealed by Austrian police on August 7. Two weeks later, Swift addressed the situation in an Instagram post, but her comments have sparked outrage among her fan base.

“I think her statement is absolutely ridiculous and completely lacks empathy,” said Erica Vuitton, a fan from Kips Bay, who spent $1,200 on a hotel and $4,500 on flights for the canceled shows. “She is not the big-hearted, fan-loving performer she pretends to be. It’s sad that the rose-tinted Taylor glasses were ripped off.”

In her Instagram post, Swift, 34, expressed that the cancellations were "devastating" and admitted that the reason behind them filled her with "a new sense of fear" and "tremendous guilt" because of the impact on fans. However, she did not directly address the financial and emotional toll on the fans themselves.

“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,” Swift explained in her statement. This wording, however, didn’t sit well with some fans.

Jessica Smith, 33, of Colorado, who spent $4,500 on her trip to Vienna with her husband, found the phrase “Let me be clear” particularly upsetting. “The phrase felt like an attack for us,” Smith said. “We, the fans, were also scared for our safety and went through a lot of emotions. We just wanted some sign that she cared. Instead, we got silenced and then basically reprimanded in the statement for wanting closure. It just felt like a rushed statement to shut us up.”

Adding to the controversy, Swift resumed her Eras Tour in London just a week after the Vienna cancellations, performing at Wembley Stadium on August 15. For many fans, this decision seemed contradictory to her concerns about safety. “She pops up a week later at Wembley, known for riots by overzealous Londoners, with Ed Sheeran and clearly no fear in the world,” Vuitton remarked. “Not what you would expect from someone whose entire persona is about being mama bear to her Swifties.”

In her statement, Swift mentioned that she focused her energy on ensuring the safety of the nearly half a million fans attending the London shows. However, fans like Smith felt that Swift’s statement centered more on her London performances than on the hardships faced by those affected by the Vienna cancellations.

As the fallout continues, many are left questioning whether the singer’s response was sufficient and if it truly reflected the deep connection she’s known for sharing with her fanbase.