Paul McCartney, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and More Send Prayers to Victims of Ariana Grande's Manchester Concert Explosion
Social media was flooded with condolences and heartfelt messages following the devastating news of 22 dead and at least 59 injured at Manchester Arena in the U.K. where Ariana Grande performed a concert on Monday evening.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said the explosion occurred around 10:33 p.m. local time near the ticket office outside the arena. The attack was carried out by a lone suspect carrying a bomb, Hopkins said.
“The attacker, I can confirm, died at the arena. We believe the attacker was carrying an improvised explosive device, which he detonated, causing this atrocity,” Hopkins said.
He added, “We have been treating this as a terrorist incident and we believe, at this stage, the attack last night was conducted by one man. The priority is to establish whether he was acting alone or as part of a network.”
“Ariana is okay,” a rep for Grande, 23, said in a statement, according to Entertainment Weekly. “We are further investigating what happened.”
Both of Grande’s opening acts for her U.K. tour, Puerto Rican-Italian rapper BIA and singer Victoria Monet shared their reaction tweets. “Guys we are okay! Thank you we love you,” BIA said in a now-deleted post.
“I wish I could say that I am ok, but I am not. Safe? Yes, but heartbroken that loved ones who came to have the night of their lives ended up losing them. They weren’t safe. I will never understand this hate!” Monet tweeted. “This was supposed to be their safe place! Im so. hurt and frustrated I don’t know how to handle this and can’t smile and I feel useless I’m sorry. Lord help me find strength. I’m going to stay off social media I just hope you all know that I love you all. Please send all your prayers up high for Manchester.”
— Manchester Arena (@ManchesterArena) May 23, 2017
My heart is broken 😓🙏🏾
— B I A ⚡️ (@PericoPrincess) May 23, 2017
— B I A ⚡️ (@PericoPrincess) May 23, 2017
— Victoria Monét (@VictoriaMonet) May 23, 2017
We were at the Ariana Grande concert tonight in Manchester. Just letting you know that we're all safe and sound.
— MiC LOWRY (@WeAreMicLowry) May 22, 2017
A post shared by Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) on May 22, 2017 at 7:33pm PDT
Musicians and celebrities from around the world expressed their condolences to Grande and the concertgoers inside Manchester Arena.
“My prayers go out to ppl of Manchester… Had special times there from youth & beyond,” Cher tweeted.
WATCH: Police Chief Constable Confirms 22 Dead & 59 Injured at Ariana Grande Manchester Arena Suicide Bombing
“Praying for everyone at @ArianaGrande’s show,” Katy Perry wrote on Twitter.
“Tearing up imagining innocent concert goers losing their lives.. praying for everyone and all #arianators,” Demi Lovato tweeted.
MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO PPL OF MANCHESTER…HAD SPECIAL TIMES THERE FROM YOUTH & BEYOND
— Cher (@cher) May 22, 2017
Praying for everyone at @ArianaGrande's show
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) May 22, 2017
Broken hearted for the families tonight. Broken hearted for Ari. Broken hearted for the state of this world. 😔
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) May 23, 2017
Tearing up imagining innocent concert goers losing their lives.. praying for everyone and all #arianators. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) May 22, 2017
My prayers are with you Manchester
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) May 22, 2017
My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected in Manchester.
— Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) May 23, 2017
Can't fathom last nights attack.Innocent young fans and families going to watch their favourite artist in concert and this happens.
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) May 23, 2017
I'm praying for everyone in Manchester. This is truly so senseless & heart breaking.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) May 23, 2017
While I am still reeling after last night's atrocity, I keep hearing of extraordinary acts of kindness and bravery in Manchester. #LoveWins
— Ellie Goulding (@elliegoulding) May 23, 2017
praying for my old friend Ari- for her, her touring crew, her fans and their families i'm so sorry. My heart is with all of you
— kesha (@KeshaRose) May 23, 2017
Praying for the beautiful souls we lost, their families and loved ones, for the survivors who will forever be impacted by this #Manchester
— Rihanna (@rihanna) May 23, 2017
My thoughts, prayers and tears for all those affected by the Manchester tragedy tonight. I'm sending all my love.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) May 23, 2017
A post shared by Millie Bobby Brown (@milliebobbybrown) on May 22, 2017 at 6:25pm PDT
My heart hurts for my sister, Ariana & every family affected by this tragic event in the U.K. Innocent lives lost. I'm so sorry to hear this
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) May 23, 2017
every musician feels sick & responsible tonight—shows should be safe for you. truly a worst nightmare. sending love to manchester & ari
— Lorde (@lorde) May 23, 2017
Thinking about my @arianagrande and the U.K. In this moment ! Praying for u all!! Lord help
A post shared by Jennifer Hudson (@iamjhud) on May 22, 2017 at 6:08pm PDT
I'm heartbroken over what happened in Manchester tonight.
Sending love to everyone involved. H— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) May 23, 2017
what happened in Manchester tonight is absolutely horrible. sending my love and prayers to those affected. 💔
— Kendall (@KendallJenner) May 23, 2017
Sending love to those affected in Manchester.
— Ellie Goulding (@elliegoulding) May 22, 2017
Artists view theatres as a sacred place. Devastated. My love to the victims’ families. My love to my baby @ArianaGrande. pic.twitter.com/ySmWaF65fl
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) May 23, 2017
Sending love to the U.K., @ArianaGrande and all of her supporters who were caught up in this awful attack. Heartbreaking.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) May 23, 2017
To see what has happened in Manchester makes me really sad. My thoughts are with those that are experiencing such tragedy at this time x
— Liam (@LiamPayne) May 23, 2017
Sending all my love to every single family at the Manchester show last night. So upsetting
— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) May 23, 2017
Just saw the news about Manchester... Our hearts are breaking 💔 Prayers for all who attended, their families, Ari and her whole crew.
— Fifth Harmony (@FifthHarmony) May 23, 2017
oh god.......my heart is breaking hearing about this tragedy that happened at Manchester arena tonight...
— Camila Cabello (@Camila_Cabello) May 23, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Manchester, any one affected, @ArianaGrande and the entire crew. Heartbreaking
— P!nk (@Pink) May 23, 2017
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) May 23, 2017
So heartbreaking. Love and prayers for Manchester.
A post shared by Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos) on May 23, 2017 at 8:21am PDT
What is happening in Manchester is absolutely terrifying. Praying everyone effected has found safety and hope Ariana is okay :( Jesus
— h (@halsey) May 22, 2017
Our prayers and strengh to the victims and their families involved in this tragedy in Manchester. Stay strong. @ArianaGrande 🙏🏾
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) May 22, 2017
Heart breaks for everyone at the @ArianaGrande show- terrorism and hatred disrupting a magical escapist experience. Sending all love.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) May 23, 2017
💔stay strong Manchester💔
— josh groban (@joshgroban) May 22, 2017
sending love and prayers to Ariana and everyone that was at her show❤️
— Noah Cyrus (@noahcyrus) May 23, 2017
In total shock and absolutely devastated about what's gone down in MANCHESTER sending Love and Light to all the family's involved LG x
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) May 23, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone effected by this horrible attack in Manchester. My heart is broken this morning.
— Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) May 23, 2017
Hold each other close today and everyday. Love is the only way to answer to something this hateful
— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) May 23, 2017
The Rolling Stones are deeply shocked to hear of the appalling events in Manchester & send condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy.
— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) May 23, 2017
Manchester, je suis avec vous… Tout mon amour / #Manchester I am with you… All my love, Céline xx… https://t.co/NvcJM5VYjz
— Celine Dion (@celinedion) May 23, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this horrific act in Manchester. We need to do better. We need to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) May 23, 2017
Shocked! Can't believe it!! Sending my love to everyone that was @ManchesterArena tonight!
— Olly Murs (@ollyofficial) May 22, 2017
Just played Manchester.. crazy.. really don't have words. I'm so sorry. should be a safe place. :( Thinking of all those affected.
— Sabrina Carpenter (@SabrinaAnnLynn) May 22, 2017
My heartfelt thoughts and prayers for all those effected by the tragedy in Manchester last night 🙏🏻 x VB #Manchester pic.twitter.com/pziTHyySZA
— Victoria Beckham (@victoriabeckham) May 23, 2017
Stunned by the news coming in from the UK… my thoughts are with the fans and families at Ariana’s Manchester show. Awful
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) May 22, 2017
Not trying to #ThoughtsAndPrayers up a self serving tweet. But that #Manchester explosion man...man. The hell is goin on in this world.
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) May 22, 2017
The Greater Manchester Police first shared news of the reported incident at approximately 11 p.m. local time, before updating that emergency personnel were responding to the “serious incident” and urging people to stay away from the area. Then, at 11:45 p.m. local time, they released a statement announcing, “There are a number of confirmed fatalities and others injured” after a reported explosion.
