Ariana Grande/Twitter
Ariana Grande announces benefit concert
Ariana Grande will return to Manchester to host a benefit concert for the victims of a devastating bombing attack on Monday (22 May).
The pop princess announced the news on Twitter: ‘Music is meant to heal us, to bring us together, to make us happy,’ she said.
‘I’ll be returning to the incredibly brave city of Manchester to spend time with my fans and to have a benefit concert in honor of and to raise money for the victims and their families.
‘My heart, prayers and deepest condolences are with the victims of the Manchester attack and their loved ones.
‘We will not quit or operate in fear. We won’t let hate win.
‘I extend my hand and heart and everything I possibly can give to you and yours, should you want or need my help on any way,’ she said.
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) 26 May 2017
The exact details of the benefit concert are yet to be confirmed.
Criticisms of Ariana Grande
In the days after the attack, celebrities came out in support of Grande and the trauma she must feel.
But controversial alt-right Milo Yiannopoulos condemned the star: ‘Why won’t Ariana Grande condemn it?
‘It’s a supreme act of cowardice,’ he added.
Morning talk show host Piers Morgan also slammed the pop star, asking why she didn’t stay in Manchester to visit injured victims in hospital.
He tweeted: ‘She should have stayed to visit her injured fans. I expected better from her. Her fans have been decimated. Stay, visit, comfort.
‘It struck me as odd that the Queen would visit the wounded fans & not the star who they had paid to watch,’ he added.
In response, Grande posted a link on Twitter, urging people to donate money to the victims of the attack.
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) 26 May 2017