Ariana Grande is officially resuming her “Dangerous Woman Tour” in Paris on Tuesday, more than two weeks after a terrorist attack at her Manchester concert. See the singer’s pre-show statement below.
As Gossip Cop reported, Grande’s May 22 concert ended with an explosion, the work of an apparent suicide bomber. The attack killed 22 people and left more than 100 injured. In the immediate aftermath, the pop star canceled her next few shows, suspending her tour. Seven dates were called off, including stops in London, Belgium, Poland, Germany and Switzerland.
On June 3, the eve of the two-week anniversary of the tragedy, Grande returned to the stage in Manchester for the “One Love Manchester” benefit concert. Along with manager Scooter Braun and top concert promoters in the U.K., she organized a star-studded charity show to raise funds for the bombing’s victims. With help from Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and more top artists, more than $9 million was raised for the “We Love Manchester Emergency Fund.”
Now Grande is set to continue her tour at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris on Tuesday night. Assuming all goes relatively well, she will next perform in Lyon on Friday. Additional concerts are scheduled for June 11, 13, 15 and 17 to finish the European leg of the tour, before a 12-day break in advance of the Latin America stretch.
Just a few hours before taking the stage in France, Grande posted on Instagram, “First show back tonight. Thinking of our angels every step of the way. I love you with all my heart.” She went on, “Grateful for and incredibly proud of my band, dancers and entire crew. I love you I love you.” Accompanying the caption was a picture of the Eiffel Tower.
At last weekend’s benefit concert, Grande told the crowd of thousands at one point, “I think the kind of love and unity we’re displaying is the medicine the world really needs right now.” Gossip Cop suspects that love and unity will again be on display tonight.