Ariana Grande to Become Honorary Manchester Citizen

Ariana Grande gave back to Manchester following a terrorist attack at one of her concerts. Now, the city is honoring her.

Manchester officials have decided to make Grande an honorary citizen due to her response to the Manchester tragedy. City council leader Richard Leese said that it would have been “understandable if she never wanted to see this place again,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Leader of @ManCityCouncil @SirRichardLeese proposes a motion to create a new honorary citizenship with Ariana Grande the first recipient. pic.twitter.com/hpk7bKIwWv

— BBC Manchester (@BBCRadioManc) July 12, 2017

However, Grande returned shortly after the bombing to organize the One Love Manchester benefit concert for the victims of the tragedy. Leese said Ari “brought comfort to thousands and raised millions” with the move. Other council officials supported the proposal.

The explosion in May took 22 lives and injured many more. Shortly following the attack, Grande issued a statement. “We will never be able to understand why events like this take place because it is not in our nature, which is why we shouldn’t recoil,” she said. “We will not quit or operate in fear. We won’t let this divide us. We won’t let hate win.”

Grande is still on her “Dangerous Woman World Tour,” which is currently in Mexico City. The run will continue through Sept. 21, when it closes out in Hong Kong.