Just like the rest of the world, I woke up this week to the shocking news of the attack after the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, UK. When more details became available, my heart broke more and more.
We did a poll at my office to see if anyone was interested in going to one of her shows when she had announced her tour, but we decided that we were basically too old. The general opinion among us was that she still was for a teen audience, even though her lyrics and all of her latest moves attempt to attract a mature(r) audience. So, even without hearing about the victims yet, it was already clear to me that a lot of very young people were hurt during the events. I really can’t imagine what these kids and their parents have gone through.
I love going to concerts and only when I left the Bruno Mars concert, recently, did I become aware of the fact that a lot of people were there and I immediately became alert to my surroundings, as I’ve been doing since 9/11. But not for a moment did I think about any dangers like that lurking during the show. As it should be on an evening like that.
I really can’t imagine what it must have been like for all the people there at the scene, but I may have some idea what Ariana must be feeling. As an entertainer, all you want to do is share the music you love with people. It’s supposed to be a memorable night for only positive reasons. I bet she can’t help shake the feeling that if she weren’t doing her music, if she hadn’t performed there, that it wouldn’t have happened. But Ariana, you shouldn’t feel this way at all. It’s just bad luck that it happened at your concert, but it’s not your responsibility.
It was just a day or so after the attack that reports started popping up that Ariana had reached out to all the families of the people who lost their lives and offered to pay for their funerals. This news pretty much got overshadowed by the news that she suspended the rest of her tour and that she would stand to lose $5 million because of it (according to Forbes). She’s been praised for the decision that it was the right thing to do. I thought I was the only one who was disagreeing.
I believe Ariana should’ve taken a break, just like her manager, and spend some time with family and friends. And then get back out there and show the world she’s wasn’t let fear going to stop her. And I’m so glad someone stood up and went viral who said the same.
A dad of 3 teenaged girls wrote an open letter to Ariana encouraging her to keep singing and I could not have found better words to have said it. Ari, it’s not your fault, it was just bad luck.
