Less than two weeks after a terror attack killed 22 people and injured many more at an Ariana Grande concert, the pop superstar returned to England for the emotional “One Love Manchester” benefit concert, which took place Sunday (June 4).
With proceeds going towards the victims of the heinous act, Ariana hosted the star-studded event at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground, with performances from Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Coldplay, Liam Gallagher, The Black Eyed Peas, and Pharrell Williams, among others.
Grande joined her big name guests throughout the day, performing alongside many of them. She hit the stage with The Black Eyed Peas for a touching rendition of their peacemaking anthem “Where Is the Love?” She also performed “Don’t Look Back in Anger” with Coldplay, brought out Mac Miller for “The Way,” and dueted with Miley Cyrus on Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over.”
Following their sets, many of the aforementioned acts were onstage for Grande’s “One Last Time.” Clapping, dancing, and singing along to her My Everything standout, the stars created a spectacular moment of unity in front of Manchester fans.
Already moved by the “One Last Time” performance, Grande closed out the benefit concert with a tearjerking rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The song acted as a tribute to the lives lost in the explosion that marred her “Dangerous Woman World Tour” stop in Manchester on May 22. Overwhelmed with emotion, Ariana was able to deliver the classic with some sing-along help from her fans.
Prior to the benefit concert, Ari visited injured fans in the hospital. “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.”
Before the show, Red Cross U.K.’s chief executive Mike Adamson told the Associated Press that the organization had raised more than $9 million. “We’ve already raised around 7 million pounds [$9 million],” he said. “And we expect to raise another one and half million pounds from ticket sales tonight and then further funding from the TV rights and merchandising. So, we’re really looking to appeal that’s going to move towards 10 million pounds.”