Ariana Grande Tears Up at Concert While Talking About Meeting Young Victim Olivia’s Mom

People

Almost two weeks after a terrorist attack outside her concert killed 22 and injured over 100 people, Ariana Grande has once again taken the stage in Manchester.

Wearing a sweatshirt that read “One Love Manchester,” the singer, 23, opened her performance with her hit song “Be Alright,” followed by “Break Free.”

The singer became emotional as she recalled meeting the mother of victim Olivia Campbell, 15, who died in the deadly explosion.

“As soon as I met her I started crying and I gave her a big hug and she said I should stop crying because Olivia would have wanted me to stop crying,” she said as she fought back tears. “And she said Olivia would have wanted to hear the hits.”

Grande said they rearranged the singer’s song lineup to honor Olivia’s request.

The mood at the concert was especially somber after a terrorist attack in London — which left seven dead and 48 injured after three men drove into a crowd and attacked with knives — occurred less than 24 hours ahead of the concert. Despite the attack and the severe threat level, Grande’s manager Scooter Braun and the Greater Manchester Police had stated that the show would go on as a message of resilience in the face of hatred.

Grande later returned to the stage to sing her duet “Better Days” with singer Victoria Monet. She also sang “Where Is the Love” alongside the Black Eyed Peas.

Her boyfriend Mac Miller also joined her on stage for a surprise performance of “Dang!”

Grande also showed off her close friendship with Miley Cyrus as they sang “Don’t Dream It’s Over.”

She also returned to the stage to perform “My Everything” with Parrs Wood School Choir.

All proceeds from the concert, taking place at the Emirates Old Trafford stadium in the city, are going to the Red Cross’s Manchester Emergency Fund to help victims and families impacted by the attack. Those who were at the original gig were offered free tickets, and additional tickets sold out in just six minutes.

The show is expected to bring in around $2.6 million.

Along with Grande, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams, Usher, Take That, Coldplay, Niall Horan, Robbie Williams, and Black Eyed Peas performed.

Ahead of the concert, Grande visited the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, where many of her young fans are being treated.

Grande announced plans for the show in a special Twitter message just four days after the tragedy.

“Our response to this violence must be to come closer together, to help each other, to love more, to sing louder and to live more kindly and generously than we did before,” she wrote in the statement.

“I’ll be returning to the incredibly brave city of Manchester to spend some time with my fans and to have a benefit concert in honor of and to raise money for the victims and their families.”

A one-hour highlight special will later air on ABC following the NBA Finals. BBC, the host broadcaster, is producing TV coverage.