While she released a short statement via Twitter immediately following the bombing at her concert at Manchester Arena on Monday, where 22 were killed and 59 were injured, Ariana Grande shared a second, longer statement about the attack to her Instagram on Friday.
“My heart, prayers and deepest condolences are with the victims of the Manchester Attack and their loved ones,” she began. “There is nothing I or anyone can do to take away the pain you are feeling or to make this better. However, I extend my hand and my heart and everything I can possibly give to you and yours, should you want or need my help in any way.”
She added that the best response to the tragedy was not to allow it to divide people or, “let hate win,” but bring people closer. For this reason, she announced a benefit concert in Manchester to support the victims and their families in the wake of the tragedy.
“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,” she said later in the statement.
She added that she would have official details for the event when everything had been confirmed, ending the statement saying that she would think of the victims with everything she does for the rest of her life. While it’s impossible to make sense of the horrific events that took place in Manchester this week, it seems like Ariana is stepping up to do everything she can to help those who were affected by the attack.