Ariana Grande has returned to Manchester for its Pride Live event, performing in the city for the first time since her ’17 One Love benefit concert.
Grande, who’s currently travelling amidst the European portion of her Sweetener World Tour, performed nine songs in front of an adoring crowd, including a stripped-back, poignant rendition of ‘One Last Time’ as a dedication to Manchester.
.@ArianaGrande’s heartfelt tribute to Manchester with an acoustic version of ’One Last Time’ was perfection ???? pic.twitter.com/UBgyDefxkq
— Capital (@CapitalOfficial) August 26, 2019
She also spoke about her strong relationship with the queer community.
“You know… the gays have always had my heart, personally, and I spent some of the happiest times of my teenage years singing in gay bars in New York City, ” she told the crowd. “I was in a Broadway show, and whenever i finished the show, I’d just go to a bar and sing Whitney Houston covers…”
Queen of the gays! 🌈🏳️🌈🙌 #SWTLondon @ArianaGrande #SWT pic.twitter.com/ICQdM2vih5
— Charlotte Looker⚓ (@DoucheCanoe01) August 18, 2019
Mason Thomas, who was at was at Manchester Arena the night of the 2017 attack, spoke to BBC about the significance of Grande returning to the city. “I don’t know that there was one person who didn’t have tears in their eyes. It means so much to the city and it means so much to the world to show what she did tonight and show that hate doesn’t win.”
“Manchester holds a very special place in my heart,” Grander later told the crowd. “I’m so happy to be with you, so thank you for having me… Sorry I’m so nervous – I had so much more to say but I’m really very overwhelmed. So thank you.”
Grande’s One Love concert raised more than $3 million for Red Cross‘s emergency fund for victims of the blast.
We stan a brave and truly resilient queen.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1mgXNnF4Yj/
Source: BBC.