Taylor Swift has spoken out on the foiled terrorist attacks that led to the cancellation of her Eras Tour concerts in Vienna.
On August 7, two men were arrested by Austrian authorities for allegedly planning a series of attacks across major events in Austria, including Swift's concerts.
According to authorities, one of the suspects arrested was a 19-year-old Austrian citizen who had allegedly pledged his allegiance to terror group ISIS.
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Director-general for public safety in the Ministry of the Interior Franz Ruf and Police Chief Gerhard Purstl, said at the time that both men were allegedly radicalized through the internet and had detailed how they planned to carry out an attack.
Shortly after the arrests were made, event organizers announced that the Swift's Eras Tour shows would be canceled. She was initially slated to perform for three nights.
Swift has now spoken on the incident for the first time.
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Posting a photo on Instagram to honor the end of the Eras Tour's European leg, the 34-year-old singer wrote in the caption: "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.
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"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 continued: "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."
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It remains unclear whether or not Swift will perform in Vienna anytime soon.
Topics: Taylor Swift, Celebrity, Music
Yasmeen Hamadeh