Ariana Grande Shares Emotional Letter About the Manchester Bombing

As part of Ariana Grande’s new YouTube docuseries, Dangerous Woman Diaries, the ever-inspirational songstress shared an emotional letter that she penned just eight months following the tragic Manchester Bombing.

On May 22, 2017, Ariana and her fans fell victim to a terrorist attack that resulted in the death of 22 innocent people, as well as, injuring 500 others. While the 25-year-old has always been forthcoming about her struggles with anxiety and PTSD since that fated day, this letter is seemingly the first time that fans have truly been able to see the inner-workings of Ari’s reflections.

In a deeply moving and emotional, Ari began: “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.”

The “thank u, next” singer went on to explain how music has always held a special place in her heart, particularly in its ability to make her feel safe. “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.”

Following her musings on music, the brunette beauty expressed her disbelief on how something so horrible could happen in her safe space. “When something so opposite and so poisonous takes place in your world that is supposed to be everything but that…it is shocking and heartbreaking in a way that seems impossible to fully recover from.”

Lastly, Ariana concluded her letter with an ode to the people of Manchester. “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.”