Miley Cyrus Breaks Down in Tears During Emotional Tribute to Taylor Hawkins at Lollapalooza Brazil
Miley Cyrus turned her pain into purpose during an emotional performance at Lollapalooza Brazil, dedicating the entire set to her late friend and Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, who tragically passed away just days earlier.
A Week of Shock, Fear, and Heartbreak
The week leading up to her performance was already emotionally exhausting. On her way to Paraguay just days before the show, Cyrus’s plane was struck by lightning, forcing an emergency landing.
Still shaken but determined to move forward, Miley later shared with fans on Twitter:
“After having altitude sickness, my plane was struck by lightning & the first person I spoke to after the flight has now passed away… when I got to where I was going I had bronchitis! These last few days have been emotionally and physically stressful.”
Then came the devastating news: Taylor Hawkins had died at age 50, just outside Bogotá, Colombia.
A Stage Filled With Emotion—and a Friend’s Spirit
Before taking the stage in São Paulo, Cyrus tweeted that her entire performance would be in honor of Hawkins:
“Tonight’s show is in honor of my friend Taylor Hawkins. The most bad ass dude I know who would want me to shine and sing LOUD for the love of rock n roll!”
On stage, the “Adore You” singer broke down in tears as she delivered a heartbreaking rendition of her 2020 ballad “Angels Like You.”
In a powerful speech during the performance, Miley opened up to the crowd:
“We had to make an emergency landing, and the first person I called was Taylor because he was already at the festival. That would have been a time that I would have gotten to see my friend… and I didn’t. I would have done anything to hang out with him one more time.”
Her voice cracked as she addressed thousands of fans who stood in silence, many visibly emotional. Videos of the moment quickly went viral, with fans and artists alike praising the rawness of her tribute.
“His Energy Is Still Around…”
The next day, Cyrus took to Twitter again, posting a photo from the performance and adding a deeply personal reflection:
“His energy is still around, and he was with you at that moment.”
Then she quoted her song “Inspired”:
“Death is life, it’s not a curse, it reminds us of time and what it’s worth.”
In another emotional tweet, Miley wrote:
“I feel heartbroken and human. But I am putting on my superhero suit and going to be strong—not only for YOU but for ME! I want to live my truth AND MY MESSAGE. Never give up!”
A Moment That Transcended Music
Miley’s tribute wasn’t just a performance—it was a moment of deep human connection, grief, and healing. It reminded fans that music isn’t just about sound—it’s about soul, and in that moment, Taylor’s spirit was alive on stage.
Her sister, Brandi Cyrus, shared a video of the tribute on Instagram, capturing Miley’s tearful delivery of “Angels Like You”, as the crowd watched in near silence.
About Taylor Hawkins’ Passing
Taylor Hawkins, beloved drummer of the Foo Fighters, passed away on March 25, 2022, at the age of 50. According to Colombian health authorities, he had experienced chest pains in his hotel room shortly before his death.
A toxicology report later revealed the presence of THC, opioids, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines in his system.
A New Chapter for Miley: Album Announcement
Amid the emotional whirlwind, Cyrus also announced the release of her upcoming album titled “Attention”, which is set to drop on April 1. The album is expected to include songs that reflect this deeply personal and transitional time in her life.
Final Words
In a world that often masks pain with performance, Miley Cyrus chose truth. Her raw, heartfelt tribute to Taylor Hawkins at Lollapalooza Brazil wasn’t just a farewell—it was a love letter to a lost friend, to rock music, and to resilience.
