Ariana Grande insists it was simply "not an option" to call off her ‘Dangerous Woman’ tour after a terrorist killed 22 people outside her concert at the Manchester Arena in May.
The ‘Yours Truly’ singer was left devastated when a suicide bomber targeted her concert in the English city in May with a nail bomb which took those lives and maimed many people, including children.
Despite her grief over what happened, Ariana is adamant that she never considered postponing her remaining shows because the tour became a symbol of hope that she needed to spread.
Speaking to Coveteur.com, she said: "Calling it off and going home was not an option. The message of the show was too important. For the crew and everyone involved, it’s become more than just a show for us. We are really grateful to be here and really grateful for this show. I don’t think I’ve been through anything as traumatic as [what] we’ve been through."
Ariana came back to the city in June to host her One Love Manchester benefit concert, bringing together some of the world’s biggest music stars, including Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber and Liam Gallagher, to raise money for the victims.
The 24-year-old musician readily admits it’s been the toughest year of her life because of the attack but her fans have pulled her through and have been a huge inspiration for her as she has continued to tour.
She shared: "They’ve definitely been my inspiration this whole time on this tour; [they] keep it going. I wouldn’t have been able to do that without their love, and motivation, or inspiration."
And she says her audience is at the heart of everything she creates and she is grateful she can have a positive impact on people’s lives.
Ariana added: "I am really grateful. I love what I do. One of my favorite things about it is being able to have an impact on my fans’ lives, and to be there for them–to know that what I’m creating is helping them in some way. Even if it’s just making them feel empowered when they’re getting ready in the morning, helping them through a heartbreak, or finding something they love about themselves."