Manchester Pride: Ariana Grande responds to backlash

  • Published
Ariana Grande
Image caption,

Ariana Grande is to play in Manchester for the first time since 2017 when she headlines Pride

Ariana Grande has responded to a backlash over her headlining Manchester Pride.

The US singer is to perform at the event, two years after 22 people died in a suicide attack after her show at the city's arena.

Grande said she "wanted to chime in" after some expressed concerns about a straight artist topping the LGBT event.

She also responded to complaints about ticket price increases, saying they were "out of her control".

In a Twitter response to a user who suggested the LGBT community was being exploited, Grande said she wanted to comment after seeing "many people" discussing the issue.

'Excited and grateful'

The 25-year-old said she wanted to "celebrate" a community that had been "so special to me and supportive throughout my entire career...regardless of my identity or how people label me".

"And also I wanna visit a city that means so much to me," she added.

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post by Ariana Grande

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post by Ariana Grande

Grande said that Pride events have been headlined by artists "of all sexual orientations and genders, including straight allies like Cher and Kylie Minogue".

"If you truly feel like I didn't deserve to be offered this spot, I respect that. but I did accept it excitedly and gratefully," she said.

You may also be interested in:

The singer added that she was not claiming to be "the hero of the community or the face of the LGBTQ rights movement".

"I just wanna put on a show that makes my LGBTQ fans feel special and celebrated and supported. That's all I wanna do," she added.

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 2 by 🏁

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 2 by 🏁

There were complaints, external among some Pride fans when ticket prices were raised to £71 for a weekend pass - up from £30 last year.

Others expressed concerns that Grande's appearance would attract people who did not support the LGBT movement.

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 3 by Soph

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 3 by Soph

While others leapt to the star's defence and said there was no need for her to respond to critics.

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 4 by Karl with a K 🐝

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 4 by Karl with a K 🐝

One fan said the price hike was due to a larger venue being used this year.

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 5 by Andy Shute

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 5 by Andy Shute

The Pride gig at Mayfield Depot is likely to be an emotional return to the city, two years after the Manchester Arena attack.

Less than two weeks after the bombing, she staged the star-studded One Love benefit concert at Old Trafford cricket stadium.

Image source, PA
Image caption,

Grande said Manchester "means so much" to her

The singer is currently at both number one and two in the UK singles chart and also has the number one album.

Manchester Pride Live takes place on the weekend of 24 to 26 August.

Related internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.