Ariana Grande Just Released Her First Post-Manchester Statement
As the world comes together in the wake of the heartbreaking Manchester bombing, we grieve the victims who were lost and are inspired by the survivors (such as 15-year-old Millie Robinson who is live-tweeting her recovery). Now, in her first full statement since the attack, Ariana Grande has sent her fans a message filled with hope that includes an announcement for a benefit concert in honor of those who were injured as well as those who were killed and the families they left behind.
The 23-year-old singer posted her message across social media networks — Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook — to be sure all of her fans read what she wanted to share. She starts by saying, “My heart, prayers, and deepest condolences are with the victims of the Manchester Attack and their loved ones. There is nothing I or anyone can do to take away the pain you are feeling or to make this better.”
She continues, “The only thing we can do now is choose how we let this affect us and how we live our lives from here on out. I have been thinking of my fans, and of you all, non stop over the past week. The way you have handled all of this has been more inspiring and made me more proud than you’ll ever know. The compassion, kindness, love, strength and oneness that you’ve shown one another this past week is the exact opposite of the heinous intentions it must take to pull off something as evil as what happened Monday. YOU are the opposite.”
She goes on to apologize to her fans for the pain and fear she’s sure they’re experiencing but assures them that “we will not quit or operate in fear. We won’t let this divide us. We won’t let hate win.”
She then announces that she’ll be returning to Manchester with the intention of holding a benefit concert in honor of and to raise money for the victims and their families, and though there are no set dates as of yet, Grande ends her message by saying, “We will continue in honor of the ones we lost, their loved ones, my fans and all affected by this tragedy. They will be on my mind and in my heart everyday and I will think of them with everything I do for the rest of my life. – Ari.”
What do you think about Ariana Grande’s statement and plans for a benefit concert? Let us know @BritandCo!
(Photos via Kevin Winter + Christopher Furlong/Getty)