Taylor Swift visits badly burned Phoenix girl in hospital, fulfilling a poignant wish

Karina Bland | The Arizona Republic

Show Caption Hide Caption Wish fulfilled: Taylor Swift visits burn victim Taylor Swift got a message from 8-year-old Isabella McCune that she couldn't pass up: An invite to visit her at the Arizona Burn Center.

PHOENIX — Isabella McCune stared from her wheelchair in disbelief as a figure in a yellow hospital gown walked into the room Saturday at the Arizona Burn Center.

Could it be? Was it possible? Was it really ... Taylor Swift?

Isabella was speechless. She is more than a regular fan of the pop singer. Taylor Swift’s music has helped the 8-year-old girl through a harrowing ordeal after she was burned in a terrible accident in March.

On Wednesday, Isabella recorded a video to Swift, a poignant plea from her hospital bed, explaining how she had hoped to go to Swift’s concert in Glendale on Tuesday but that she couldn't leave the hospital.

Burn victim's plea to Taylor Swift Eight-year-old Isabella McCune was burned over half of her body and will recover at the Arizona Burn Center. She wishes for a visit from Taylor Swift.

"I heard you were here, and I wanted to visit you but maybe you can come and visit me. So maybe that can happen," she said in the video.

Now here she was. Taylor Swift.

Swift sat on the edge of Isabella's bed, scooched closer to the little girl in her wheelchair and said how glad she was to meet her.

Finally Isabella could talk. She said she told Swift how much she liked her music and how she listens to it during the worst part of her day, when doctors at the Burn Center put her into a twilight sleep of sorts.

For two hours, sometimes three, they work on her, changing the dressings on burns that cover almost all of her body. Isabella listens to the music and sings along, her sweet voice soft in the operating room.

Isabella told Swift how it is the only thing that keeps her calm.

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Swift told Isabella that she was honored by that. She had brought Isabella a bag filled with T-shirts and sweatshirts from the tour.

The singer signed pictures for Isabella and her brother, 14-year-old Zachary, and then Isabella asked the singer to autograph pictures for her friends and for the nurse who helps with her dressing changes.

Swift wrote a message in Isabella's journal, where hospital staff and visitors write her inspirational notes: "Isabella! I hope you feel better soon and I’m honored you've been listening to my music. You're so awesome and I can’t wait to have you at a show!!

"Stay strong, gorgeous.

"Love, Taylor Swift."

When visiting Isabella McCune, Taylor Swift also left her a note. (Photo: J.D. McCune)

Swift told Isabella that when she felt up to it — and when her doctor and parents said it was all right — she could come to a concert, her pick, any one along the tour.

"I cannot wait for you to come to my concert," Swift told Isabella.

It was a hushed-up visit with no media allowed. Swift arrived, bringing her parents along for the visit, at about 1 p.m. and stayed for about 20 minutes, Lilly McCune, Isabella's mother, said.

Her family had to wait until Swift had left the burn unit, part of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, before telling anyone or posting pictures on social media.

"I was shocked!" Isabella said a few minutes after Swift had left her hospital room.

"I can't even explain to you how natural it was and how nice it was," Lilly McCune said. "She's just as nice as people say."

Swift had said goodbye, given Zachary a hug and was headed for the door when Isabella piped up: "Excuse me. Excuse me, Taylor. Could I have a hug?"

Swift headed back to the girl. "Of course!" she said. Swift had wanted to hug Isabella but didn't know if she could. "I just didn't want to hurt her," Swift told the family.

Isabella was burned when a fire blew up at a neighborhood party on St. Patrick's Day. She received third-degree burns over 65% of her body. Sometimes even a hug can hurt.

Swift leaned down to gently hug Isabella. Isabella's mom took a picture and then said, "Hold on, I want to come around for a better angle."

"Don't worry," Swift told her. "I can hang on."

She didn't let go, not for a few minutes. Isabella's mom got pictures, some a little blurry because her hands were shaking with excitement.

"Thank you so much for coming to see me," Isabella told Swift.