Ariana Grande shared a heartbreaking letter she wrote about last year's Manchester attack
30 November 2018, 12:40 | Updated: 30 November 2018, 12:42
"Like a handprint on my heart, I think of Manchester constantly and will carry this with me every day for the rest of my life.”
This week, in Ariana Grande's YouTube docu-series, Dangerous Woman Diaries, the singer shared a letter she wrote for the victims of the tragic 2017 Manchester attack. In the open letter, Ariana reflects on the deadly bombing which took place on May 22 at her Manchester Arena concert.
Ariana expressed her "deepest condolences" soon after the attack and held the One Love Manchester benefit concert for the victims and their families.
In the YouTube series, she shared an emotional letter that was written in February 2018, eight months after the Manchester Arena bombing.
“I’m writing to you this February 22, 2018. It’s been eight months since the attack at our show at the Manchester Arena. It’s impossible to know where to start or to know what to say about this part.
"May 22, 2017, will leave me speechless and filled with questions for the rest of my life."
"Music is an escape. Music is the safest thing I’ve ever known. Music – pop music, stan culture – is something that brings people together, introduces them to some of their best friends, and makes them feel like they can be themselves. It is comfort. It is fun. It is expression. It is happiness. It is the last thing that would ever harm someone. It is safe."
“The spirit of the people of Manchester, the families affected by this horrendous tragedy, and my fans around the world have permanently impacted all of us for the rest of our lives. Their love, strength, and unity showed me, my team, my dancers, band, and entire crew not to be defeated."
“To continue during the scariest and saddest of times. To not let hate win. But instead, love as loudly as possible, and to appreciate every moment. The people of Manchester were able to change an event that portrayed the worst of humanity into one that portrayed the most beautiful of humanity. Like a handprint on my heart, I think of Manchester constantly and will carry this with me every day for the rest of my life.”
Ariana has been asked about the incident in interviews and has usually been emotional when speaking about it.
Earlier this year, during a Beats 1 interview with Ebro, Ari was teary as she discussed Manchester and urged fans to help each other during "scary times."
Ariana's Dangerous Woman Diaries series is available on YouTube premium and the letter is revealed in episode 4. Fans without YouTube premium can watch the first episode, entitled "The Light Is Coming", for free.
