opinion

Thank you, Ariana Grande, for your compassion and courage in the face of terror.

We can only imagine what it must have been like to be Ariana Grande these past few weeks.

The 23-year-old has gone from dominating the charts with catchy pop songs to carrying the weight of Manchester, Britain, and the world’s great expectations.

From the moment news broke of a bomb blast at her Manchester concert on 22 May, all eyes have been on the singer.

In the hours, days and weeks following the terrorist attack that killed 22 people and injured more than 100 others, Grande has faced scrutiny at such an intensity most of us will never experience.

Faced with such pressure that others may have buckled under, Grande responded with grace, maturity and dignity.

In just two weeks, she managed to organise a benefit concert that has so far raised more than $3.4 million to help the victims of the attack and their families.

Click through to see highlights of the One Love Manchester concert. (Post continues.)

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Her kindness came in the midst of a darkness that could have easily consumed her. She displayed courage while criticism was flung her way, responding to it with only her exemplary actions.

Grande’s response to this tragedy hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans.

Some have pointed out her ability to unite and inspire us, while others have highlighted her actions against those of Donald Trump, who has arguably failed to show in his entire term of presidency the leadership she has shown this past fortnight.

The main sentiment fans want to share, however, is an enormous thank you to Ariana Grande.

Thank you for standing up to those who seek to take you down.

Thank you for remaining strong in the midst of a very real threat, putting on a brave face which we can only assume is a front for the real heartbreak you must be feeling inside.

Thank you for returning to the city where you experienced what we can only guess was the worst day of your life to give back to those who need it the most.

Thank you for keeping your focus, and ours, on the victims of this tragedy. And thank you for keeping it away from those that inflicted this pain.

Thank you for being a uniting figure in uncertain times.

Thank you, Ariana Grande.