Karina DePiano became a fan favorite thanks to her haunting “Tolerate It” solo
Taylor Swift’s piano player is reflecting on the most memorable part of her time on the Eras Tour.
Karina DePiano played the keys for Swift from the start of the tour in March 2023 to its grand finale in Vancouver on Dec. 8 — and singled out one special moment in a tribute she shared on Instagram.
“Last year I was given the incredible opportunity to play a solo ahead of our performance of ‘Tolerate It’ — and on top of that, @taylorswift introduced me to the crowd with all her grace each and every night,” DePiano wrote on Instagram.
The musician was a fan favorite on the tour, as she played a haunting melody on the piano each night before Swift, 34, performed “Tolerate It,” off her 2020 album Evermore. The song was ultimately cut from the setlist earlier this year to make room for tracks off Swift’s album The Tortured Poets Department.
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DePiano wrote that the whole experience was surreal for her as a classically trained pianist.
“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.”
She concluded her message by thanking fans who had posted their own versions of the solo to social media.
“It’s so beautiful to hear it on pianos across the world. Keep on creating, making, expressing… I will too,” she wrote. “What a journey this has been, the memories, the magic, the hardships, the seismic shifts, friendships, family. thank you. THAAANGKYEWW 🤍🎹”
Alongside her message, DePiano included a video of Swift introducing her onstage, which kicked off a montage of special Eras Tour moments set to her “Tolerate It” solo.
