Christ The Redeemer Statue Welcomes Taylor Swift To Brazil With Striking Display
Video screenshots via Taylor Swift and Sanctuary of Christ the Redeemer
Brazil can’t shake off its admiration for Taylor Swift. The nation warmly welcomed the global music sensation with a larger-than-life tribute in Rio de Janeiro, where the one and only Christ the Redeemer statue lit up with a giant projection to make way for her Eras Tour in the country.
Rio Mayer Eduardo Paes personally confirmed this striking tribute and went on to compare Swift’s impact to music legends like Michael Jackson and Madonna. “Welcome, Taylor Swift,” he announced.
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The display, brought to life on Thursday night, was just as much a love story for the pop star as it was for fans, consisting of a massive shirt alluding to one worn by the singer in her music video for You Belong with Me.
Emblazoned with the words “Welcome to Brasil” and the names of Brazil’s states, the illuminated garment also incorporated nods to Swift’s music, such as a scarf that brings All Too Well to mind and a bow and arrow that likely references The Archer—effectively wearing the love for the singer on the monument’s sleeve.
Queridos @taylorswift13 fãs. Vou pedir ao querido Padre Omar para ver se conseguimos essa homenagem. Ele é o cara que comanda as projeções no @cristoredentor! Em tempo: o Instagram dele é @padreomaroficial. https://t.co/QvuyiIHxUB
— Eduardo Paes (@eduardopaes) November 13, 2023
Video screenshot via Taylor Swift
This touching gesture was the result of an online movement by dedicated fans, who appealed to Omar Raposo—the rector of the sanctuary of Christ the Redeemer—to project a shirt from one of Swift’s music videos onto the statue upon her arrival in Rio.
The official agreed to this unique homage but had one condition: Swifties had to step up and donate 20,000 units of panettone, a sweet Christmas bread, along with clean water. These donations would support local charities for the Holy See’s World Day of the Poor.
📷: Fábio Motta
— Prefeitura do Rio (@Prefeitura_Rio) November 17, 2023
The Christ the Redeemer statue is no stranger to projecting messages and visuals in support of social and cultural causes. It has previously displayed symbols for various events, including raising awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Swift’s tour continues with three shows at Rio’s Nilton Santos stadium from November 17 to 19, followed by another trio of performances in São Paulo the following weekend.
[via NBC News, USA Today, Deseret, images via various sources]
This article was crafted with assistance from an AI engine, and has been manually reviewed & edited.
