This week, Ariana Grande released her Dangerous Woman Diaries documentary series on YouTube.
Filmed and directed by her friend and photographer, Alfredo Flores, the four-part docuseries follows Ariana on her Dangerous Woman tour. As well as filming her concert performances, Ari shares her rehearsals, home life, and insights into recording her latest album, Sweetener.
However, Ari's Dangerous Woman tour will always be marked by the heartbreaking Manchester bombings, which took place at her concert on May 22, 2017, killing 22 people and injuring 500 more.
In the fourth episode, the 'thank u, next' singer shared a letter she wrote eight months after the Manchester bombing, and it makes for some heartbreaking reading.
I'm writing to you this February 22, 2018.
It's been eight months since the attack at our show at the Manchester Arena. It's impossible to know where to start or to know what to say about this part. May 22, 2017, will leave me speechless and filled with questions for the rest of my life.
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Music is an escape. Music is the safest thing I've ever known. Music – pop music, stan culture – is something that brings people together, introduces them to some of their best friends, and makes them feel like they can be themselves. It is comfort. It is fun. It is expression. It is happiness. It is the last thing that would ever harm someone. It is safe.
When something so opposite and so poisonous takes place in your world that is supposed to be everything but that... it is shocking and heartbreaking in a way that seems impossible to fully recover from.
The spirit of the people of Manchester, the families affected by this horrendous tragedy, and my fans around the world have permanently impacted all of us for the rest of our lives. Their love, strength, and unity showed me, my team, my dancers, band, and entire crew not to be defeated. To continue during the scariest and saddest of times. To not let hate win. But instead, love as loudly as possible, and to appreciate every moment.
The people of Manchester were able to change an event that portrayed the worst of humanity into one that portrayed the most beautiful of humanity. 'Like a handprint on my heart'... I think of Manchester constantly and will carry this with me every day for the rest of my life.
While some of the episodes show Ariana breaking down crying, it's this letter that really shares the impact the attack on her fans has had, and will always have, on the singer.
Watch the series here.
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Laura is a former writer for Cosmopolitan UK, covering everything beauty and fashion related and specialises in makeup, plus-size fashion and the world of YouTube. Her favourite pastime is reminding everyone of that one time she met Charlie Hunnam and Jason Momoa. Please don't ask to see the pictures...
