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Ariana Grande Hosting Manchester Benefit Concert Less Than Two Weeks After Bombing
After suspending her world tour following a terrorist bombing that left 22 people dead at her Manchester concert on May 22, Ariana Grande announced that she will be putting on a benefit show this Sunday, June 4, to honor the victims.
“One Love Manchester” will be held at the city’s Old Trafford cricket ground, and will feature performances by Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Coldplay, Pharrell Williams, and Usher, among others.
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Tickets go on sale Thursday, June 1, and all proceeds will be funneled into an emergency fund set up by the city of Manchester and the British Red Cross. It has also been announced that anyone who attended Ariana’s concert on the night of the attack will get free tickets.
A woman cries in response to the deadly Manchester terrorist attack.
Sources revealed shortly after the tragedy that the 23-year-old was “in hysterics” after learning about the casualties at her show. “She’s in no condition to perform,” an insider told TMZ.
Ariana also spoke out following the incident, tweeting, “broken. from the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don’t have words.” Militant group ISIS later claimed responsibility for the attack.
Laura Bruce, 18, was in the arena when she heard the explosion. “Everyone below us just turned and ran,” she said. “Because we were higher up, we could not get out for five minutes. When we came out, a man walked past us just covered in blood.”
Queen Elizabeth II released a statement offering her deepest sympathies. “The whole nation has been shocked by the death and injury in Manchester last night of so many people, adults, and children, who had just been enjoying a concert,” she said.
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Ariana’s manager, Scooter Braun, also spoke out about the bombing, writing, “Tonight, our hearts are broken. Words cannot express our sorrow for the victims and families harmed in this senseless attack.
He continued, “We mourn the lives of children and loved ones taken by this cowardly act. We are thankful for the selfless service tonight of Manchester’s first responders who rushed towards danger to help save lives. We ask all of you o hold the victims, their families, and all those affected in your hearts and prayers.”
