Clara O'Sullivan, an eight-year-old from Co Cork, was selected as the lucky recipient of Taylor Swift's "22" hat during the third and final night of the megastar's sold-out Eras Tour run at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.
During each of her Eras Tour concerts, Swift gifts the hat she’s wearing during her performance of “22” to a young fan in the audience. The hat is signed by Swift and includes the concert’s location and date.
While diehard fans have tried to crack the formula as to who is chosen, the recipient is typically chosen at random from the audience, such as Cork girl Clara O'Sullivan on Sunday night.
"So technically we were dancing our heads off," Clara told Cork's 96FM on Monday.
"So then after a song, 'Love Story,' I just got chosen.
"I had no clue what was happening.
"Everybody was screaming and then I got the hat."
In plenty of clips circulating on social media, Clara - donning a t-shirt with lyrics from Swift's song "Anti-Hero" and a multitude of friendship bracelets - is seen beaming and singing along at the edge of the stage as Swift performs "22" from her 2012 album "Red."
Swift dances her way towards Clara and crouches down to hug her in a smile-inducing exchange.
Clara seized the moment, offering Swift a friendship bracelet, which has become customary amongst fans throughout the Eras Tour. Swift accepted the bracelet with a big smile and appeared to say "I love it!" before putting it on.
Swift then took the "22" hat off her head and placed it on Clara's before another big hug and double high five.
@tstheerastourdublin 22 hat tonight! These moments always get me, so adorable 🥲 @Taylor Swift @Taylor Nation #TaylorSwift #DublinTSTheErasTour #DublinN3 #TheErasTour #TSTheErasTour #22 #AvivaStadium ♬ original sound - The Eras Tour Dublin 🇮🇪
Another Swiftie posted on TikTok showing Clara - with armfuls of friendship bracelets - returning to her seat in the audience to meet her family with her new hat.
@laurengilhooly The hat got back safely ❤️#erastour #taylorsversion #22hatdublinN3 #22hat #dublinn3 #taylorswift #taylornation #red #taylorswifterastour #dublin #swiftie #22 @Taylor Swift @Taylor Nation ♬ 22 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
Clara's aunt Stephanie Skierka further told Cork's 96FM on Monday that she and her niece were at the concert with a number of family members after Clara received the tickets for her Holy Communion.
"We were going crazy at the start of the gig," Stephanie said.
"Next thing you know, a lady came up to Clara and goes, 'Do you want to come with me?'
"And Clara was like, 'Where we going?'
"And she was like, 'Well, you'll see.'
"They literally took her up to the stage and her favorite song came on and she got the hat.
"It was such an incredible experience for her, and for us."
Skierka says she has "no clue" how Clara was chosen and that the family was still "starstruck" the following day.
"It was the most randomest picking ever," Skierka said, "but she's just so grateful to be picked."
Clara said her new hat - which is signed by Swift and says "Taylor Swift, Eras Tour, Dublin 2024" - won't be going in a glass box and that she wants to wear it to show it off.
Skierka added: "It was such an amazing concert for all age groups. It was just phenomenal, just out of this world.
"We just had a ball, from start to finish."
Swift arrived in Ireland on Friday, June 28 just hours before her much-hyped three Eras Tour concerts at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.
Throughout the run of shows, Swift made several nods to her host country. After Sunday's final performance, Swift and her entourage - including boyfriend Travis Kelce and 'hero' Stevie Nicks - headed to the Hacienda Bar in Dublin.
Comments