Taylor Swift’s pianist, Karina DePiano, is reflecting on one of the most unforgettable moments of her time on the Eras Tour. The talented musician, who played alongside Swift from the tour’s opening in March 2023 to its grand finale in Vancouver on December 8, recently took to Instagram to share a tribute to a special moment that left her in awe.
In her post, DePiano recalled the surreal opportunity to perform a solo before Swift’s heartfelt rendition of “Tolerate It,” from the 2020 album Evermore. “Last year, I was given the incredible opportunity to play a solo ahead of our performance of ‘Tolerate It,’” DePiano wrote. “And on top of that, @taylorswift introduced me to the crowd with all her grace each and every night.”
For the Eras Tour audience, DePiano became a fan favorite, captivating them with a haunting piano melody before Swift’s emotional performance of the song. It became a defining moment of the tour, even as “Tolerate It” was eventually removed from the setlist in favor of new tracks from Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department.
As a classically trained pianist, DePiano admitted that the whole experience was beyond her wildest dreams. “I could not believe this moment was built into a pop show, THE pop show, and that I was a part of it,” she wrote. “The messages and love I’ve received around the ‘Tolerate It’ intro have been nothing but kind, inspiring, and full of joy.”
In her heartfelt post, DePiano also thanked fans who had shared their own versions of her solo on social media, spreading the magic of her performance worldwide. “It’s so beautiful to hear it on pianos across the world. Keep on creating, making, expressing… I will too,” she encouraged. “What a journey this has been, the memories, the magic, the hardships, the seismic shifts, friendships, family. Thank you. THAAANGKYEWW ”
In addition to her emotional message, DePiano included a video from one of the tour’s concerts, showing Swift introducing her to the crowd, which segued into a montage of Eras Tour highlights set to DePiano’s moving “Tolerate It” intro.
“I want to introduce you now to someone who I am so fortunate to get to play with every single night of this tour,” Swift says in the clip. “She is my keys player. Will you please make some noise for Karina DePiano?”
DePiano, who also appeared in Swift’s 2021 music video for “I Bet You Think About Me,” has a long history of working with top artists, having toured with stars like Troye Sivan, Miley Cyrus, and Olivia Rodrigo.
Notably, Swift’s Eras Tour didn’t just make headlines for its musical brilliance; the superstar also made waves for her generosity. During the nearly two-year trek, Swift gave out a staggering $197 million in bonuses to every single person working on the tour, from truck drivers and caterers to band members, dancers, and crew. The Eras Tour went on to break records, cementing its place as the highest-grossing concert tour of all time.
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