Ariana Grande Sends Love To Fans Ahead Of 3rd Anniversary Of Manchester Bombing: ‘Thinking Of You’

Ariana Grande shared a special message for those suffering from the 'tremendous heaviness' ahead of the Manchester Arena Bombing's third anniversary. The tragic attack cost the lives of 22 innocent people.

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May 21, 2020 2:38AM EDT
Ariana Grande
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Ariana Grande attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination exhibition, in New York 2018 MET Museum Costume Institute Benefit Gala, New York, USA - 07 May 2018
Ariana Grande 'The Lovely Bones' Film Premiere, Los Angeles, America - 07 Dec 2009
Ariana Grande'Victorious' promotion at Planet Hollywood Times Square, New York, America - 30 Apr 2010
Image Credit: Dave Hogan/One Love Benefit/Shutterstock

Ariana Grande, 27, had a heavy heart on May 20, two days before the three-year anniversary of the Manchester Arena Bombing that cost the lives of 22 people and physically injured 139 more fans. “I want to take a moment to acknowledge and send my love to everyone that is feeling the sadness and and tremendous heaviness of the anniversary coming up this week,” the pop star wrote on her Instagram Story. “Not a day goes by that this doesn’t affect you and all of us still. I will be thinking of you all week and weekend. My heart, thoughts and prayers are with you always.”

The horrific event happened after Ariana performed in the United Kingdom arena on May 22, 2017, which was a stop on her Dangerous Woman Tour. A 22-year-old man named Salman Abedi carried out the suicide bombing right outside the arena, and out of the 22 innocent lives lost, 10 were under the age of 20 (the youngest victim to pass away was Saffie Roussos, who was only eight years old). Beyond those numbers, many more suffered “psychological injuries,” according to Chief Constable Ian Hopkins (per Manchester Evening News).

Ariana also revealed the severe trauma she has retained from the attack. In April of 2019, close to the bombing’s second anniversary, Ariana shared photos of a “healthy” brain scan and of one with post-traumatic stress disorder (which was highlighted in various areas). On the bottom was Ariana’s own brain scans, which frighteningly revealed even more highlighted areas than the PTSD example. “Hilarious and terrifying. Not a joke,” Ariana wrote over the images.
As time has passed, Ariana has never forgotten about her fans who suffered through the tragedy. With barely time to grieve, Ariana found the strength to put on the famous One Love Manchester benefit concert in the very same city where the bombing occurred in June of 2017. Two years later, she returned to the UK city to perform at Manchester Pride in Aug. 2019.