Taylor Swift Fan Who Fought for Wheelchair Access Talks Finally Seeing Eras Tour in Milan: ‘Wait, We’re Breathing the Same Air!’

After a year-long battle to see Taylor Swift in concert, Silvia Stoyanova finally got her wish.

In July of 2023, Stoyanova — who has been in a wheelchair for most of her life — sparked a rallying cry in Italy after she purchased a premium ticket for Taylor Swift’s July 14 Eras Tour concert at Milan’s San Siro stadium. She was informed by organizers that the venue’s front row section was not enabled for wheelchair access and that the designated wheelchair access section was sold out.

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Stoyanova immediately started a petition on Change.org to get organizers to expand the stadium’s space with wheelchair access and launched an appeal asking Italy’s minister for disabilities, Alessandra Locatelli, to “take charge of the more playful aspects of the life of people with disabilities.”

After many months of tribulations, Stoyanova eventually got a ticket to the stadium’s wheelchair access area and, on Sunday, attended the Milan Eras Tour event Below, she speaks to Variety about her experience.

You fought so hard to attend this concert. How did you feel on the actual day?

When the long-awaited day arrived, I was very scared. I didn’t know what I would be facing because I know my weaknesses, my frailties, like any disabled person. For us, these situations that for other people are simple, often get complicated. Even when everything seems all resolved; even when you think all should go smoothly. My experience, over 36 years, has taught me to always expect some unexpected snag. Once I got to San Siro stadium, I thought I would calm down and settle into my space in the disabled section. But unfortunately once we got on site, the stadium personnel didn’t have any idea where the entrance to the disabled platform was. So I missed the first 40 minutes of Taylor’s concert being tossed around between one gate and another because no one knew where we were supposed to go.

How did you feel when you finally got inside?

At first I was looking at the screens, because we were positioned laterally, of course. And initially we even had a big power pole in right in front of us. But then [we moved] and every now and again, I would glance at the stage and think, “Oh my God, she’s really there!” I’ve watched too many TikTok videos of Taylor this year. So watching the screens was a bit like watching those, unfortunately. But then when she was within sight on the diamond right at center stage, I said to myself, “Wait, we’re breathing the same air!” OK, along with 60,000 other people — but in short, we still feel the same heat, hear the same sounds, feel the same things. I mean, it’s like a connection, right? Finally, it was real.

And I cried a lot, during every song. Unloading all the tension, stress and fear that I carried inside me for a year. My mom and my friend were saying, “We got in. Why are you crying?” And I said, “I know we’re in. That’s exactly why I’m crying.”

As a Swiftie, what were the highlights of the concert for you?

Emotionally, the biggest highlight was when I saw her come out dressed for “All Too Well.” In fact, in one of my videos I break down crying right at the beginning of that song because of the empathy, the bond that Taylor creates with her fans. Swifties know what “All Too Well” means for her. We know that it talks about her real life, and the real emotion she puts into it. So when “All Too Well” started, it was as if Taylor and I were connected. Even though I haven’t lived her same story, I know what it meant for her. So it was like I was crying for her. Then, in terms of pure spectacle, all of the four songs she did from “Reputation” because they brought down the stadium. And also “Champagne Problems” because, again, you really hear the emotional charge of the screaming fans who want Taylor to hear and feel all their warmth.

Has your battle managed to prompt some change? It seems like there’s still a ways to go.

Yes, it’s clear that we aren’t there yet. We need to continue to push for this cause. The minister for disabilities has made a commitment and I am involved in panels with various organizations. But it’s certainly something that takes time. And if for whatever reason, despite promises, we get cast aside, we will keep making ourselves heard. We won’t stop fighting for our rights.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.