Episode three of The End of an Era, Taylor Swift’s documentary series on Disney+, pulls back the curtain on one of the most emotional chapters. While the tour appeared flawless to fans around the world, the episode reveals how the touring family faced an unexpected and deeply personal crisis: Background vocalist Jeslyn Gorman was diagnosed with breast cancer during the run of the show.
In the episode, the singer reflects on the moment the news reached the team, describing it as the first major emotional blow the tour experienced. Gorman, one of the newest additions to the backup singers for the Eras Tour, had previously worked with Swift during the Reputation tour in 2018.
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Taylor Swift’s backup singer battled breast cancer during the Eras Tour
As the 2023 tour got underway, she initially continued performing while undergoing tests and medical evaluations. Between weekend shows, Gorman flew back to Los Angeles for appointments, biopsies and consultations, returning to the stage while privately navigating uncertainty about her health.
The documentary highlights the immediate support Gorman received from Swift and her inner circle. Gorman recalls Swift rushing in with hugs and tears after hearing the diagnosis, while Swift’s mother reassured her that the team would wait for her until she was ready to return.
Despite that support, the reality of treatment soon set in. The backgroun singer ultimately stepped away from the tour for six months to undergo chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.
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What more happened?
Episode three also explores the isolation that came with that absence. Gorman speaks candidly about the physical toll of treatment, including swelling, skin issues and the loss of much of her hair, and how difficult it was to watch her friends continue the tour through livestreams.
Members of the crew, including wardrobe staff, describe how her absence underscored the strong bonds formed during months of shared work, travel and pressure. The tour, they explain, functions as a family, one that felt incomplete without her.
The final moments of the episode of Taylor Swift’s documentary shift toward resilience and return. Swift made it clear that Gorman’s place on the tour was secure under any circumstances, and shortly after finishing radiation, Gorman rejoined the production. Her comeback, documented in the series, is framed as a testament to determination and collective support. Swift expresses disbelief at how quickly Gorman was able to return to what she calls the most demanding show of her career, while Gorman reflects on how stepping back into a “joy-filled” environment reinforced the sense of belonging within the touring family.
Through Gorman’s story, episode three of The End of an Era reveals that behind the spectacle of the Eras Tour were moments of vulnerability, solidarity and strength, reminding viewers that even the largest global productions are sustained by deeply human connections.
