Ariana Grande releases heartbreaking letter she wrote about the Manchester attack
It was penned in February this year
Ariana Grande has released a letter she wrote in February this year about the devastating Manchester attack that occurred at her concert in May 2017. As part of her behind-the-scenes video diary of the 'Dangerous Woman' tour, Ariana understandably chose to steer clear of the days, weeks and months immediately after the horrific ordeal.
However, the 25-year-old has chosen to unveil a letter she wrote in February this year addressed to the victims and their families, revealing she thought it would be "impossible to recover" from the tragedy.
The letter appears in the fourth episode of the diaries, but MailOnline have reported that it reads as follows, '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 22nd, 2017 will leave me speechless and filled with questions for the rest of my life.
'Music is an escape. Music is the safest thing I've ever known. 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.'
WATCH: Dangerous Woman Diaries Ep1 - 'the light is coming'
22 people's lives were tragically cut short on 22nd May 2017. Victims from the night were Alison Howe, Angelika Klis, Chloe Rutherford, Eilidh MacLeod, Elaine McIver, Georgina Callander, Jane Tweddle, John Atkinson, Liam Curry, Lisa Lees, Marcin Klis, Kelly Brewster, Megan Hurley, Michelle Kiss, Nell Jones, Olivia Campbell-Hardy, Saffie Roussos, Sorrell Leczkowski, Wendy Fawell, Courtney Boyle, Philip Tron and Martyn Hett.
After the awful events, Ariana returned to Manchester for the One Love Manchester concert in June last year. Organising the event to raise money for the victims' families, Ariana and a whole host of other singers such as Little Mix, Justin Bieber and Robbie Williams all performed at the concert.
You can hear Ariana's biggest hits on the MFR playlist.