Ariana Grande stays strong despite the tears to raise millions for the victims of suicide bombing

THE pop star, whose fans were killed and injured less than two weeks ago, fought through tears to generate funds for the victims of the Manchester suicide bombing.

BY the time an emotional Ariana Grande closed the One Love Manchester all-star concert with a stirring cover of Over The Rainbow, the donations were swelling.

The gig, featuring some of the biggest names in music, raised $4 million for the British Red Cross in three hours to support grieving families and victims of the suicide bombing attack.

The 23-year-old’s efforts helped to bring the overall total of donations, since the atrocity which took 22 lives, to more than $10.3m.

Ariana Grande in a One Love Manchester shirt sings a duet with Miley Cyrus. Picture: Dave Hogan via AP

Miles supports an emotional Ariana. Picture: Getty /Dave Hogan

The concert, featuring Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Liam Gallagher, was an upbeat, energetic affair until Ariana closed it in tears.

“Manchester, I love you with all of my heart,” Grande said before the performance, and just after singing One Last Time with Miley Cyrus, Pharrell and more of the show’s performers standing behind her in solidarity.

Gallagher, formerly of Oasis, earned loud cheers from the audience as he emerged in his home town in surprise form. He sang and offered encouraging words to the crowd, who held inspirational signs in their hands.

Ariana with the Black Eyed Peas after singing Fergie’s verse in Where Is The Love? Picture: Dave Hogan via AP

Ariana Grande sing with Chris Martin as the money pours into the Red Cross. Picture: Getty Images/Dave Hogan

Ariana Grande hugs a girl from The Children's Choir Picture: Kevin Mazur/One Love Manchester/Getty

Ariana Grande gave an amazing show from start to finish. Picture: Getty Images/Dave Hogan for One Love Manchester

One of the most powerful moments was when the Parrs Wood High School Choir performed Grande’s My Everything with the singer.

The pop star held the young lead performer’s hand, both with tears in their eyes, as the rest of the singers joined in.

Perry also left a mark with her resilient performance: She sang a stripped down version of her hit, Part of Me.

Backed by two singers and a guitarist, she delivered the song wearing all white, singing, “Throw your sticks and your stones, throw your bombs and your blows, but you’re not gonna break my soul.”

“I encourage you to choose love even when it’s difficult. Let no one take that away from you,” she said.

Bird of peace Katy Perry struts onto stage at Manchester in all white. Kevin Mazur/One Love

And belts out Part Of Me with reconfigured words. Picture: Getty

Miley Cyrus sings by Getty Images/Dave Hogan for One Love Manchester

The crowd get lucky as Miley Cyrus duets with Pharrell Williams. Picture: Kevin Mazur/One Love Manchester/Getty Images for One Love Manchester

Bieber shared similar words onstage, even coming close to crying when he spoke about God and those who died at Grande’s show.

“(God) loves you and he’s here for you. I wanna take this moment to honour the people that were lost, that were taken,” he said. “To the families, we love you so much. ... Everybody say, ‘We honour you, and we love you.”’

Coldplay were also a crowd favourite, performing well-known songs like Viva La Vida and Fix You.

Oasis star Liam Gallagher was a surprise performer and sang Rock ‘n’ Roll star. Picture: Dave Hogan

Robbie Williams with Howard Donald, Gary Barlow and Mark Owen of Take That Picture: Kevin Mazur/One Love Manchester/Getty

Grande performed throughout the show, singing her hits from Side to Side to Break Free. She even collaborated with others onstage, singing Fergie’s verse on the Black Eyed Peas hit, Where Is the Love? along with the group, performing a duet with Cyrus and singing her debut song, The Way, with rapper Mac Miller.

Cyrus said she was “so honoured to be at this incredible event” and performed Happy alongside Pharrell, who also sang Get Lucky.

“I don’t feel or smell or hear or see any fear in this building. All we feel here tonight is love, resilience, positivity,” Williams said.

One Love Manchester concert: In pictures

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Take That, who are also from Manchester, followed with fun energy that the crowd danced to.

“Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this,” singer Gary Barlow said. “We want everyone to stand strong.” Robbie Williams also performed, changing some of his lyrics of Strong to honour the Manchester victims.

“Manchester we’re strong ... we’re still singing our song,” he sang with the audience of 50,000 at Old Trafford cricket ground..

Armed Police pose with a young fan at the ring of steel outside the cricket ground. Picture: Richard Stonehouse/Getty Images

Ariana Grande performing to 50,000 in Manchester. Picture: Danny Lawson via AP)

The mood in the camp was strong. Picture: Getty Images/Dave Hogan for One Love Manchester

Ariana tells the crowd she loves Manchester. Picture: Dave Hogan

The crowd feel the love during the One Love Manchester benefit gig which raised $4m in three hours. Picture: Getty/Dave Hogan

The streamers go off as Ariana hits the stage. Picture: Dave Hogan

The Manchester concert came the day after attackers targeted the heart of London, killing seven people. Authorities have said the attack started with a van ploughing into pedestrians and then involved three men using large knives to attack people in bars and restaurants at a nearby market.

Other performers included Little Mix, Niall Horan, Imogen Heap and Victoria Monet.

The concert will be re-run tonight on Channel 9 at 8.45pm

"One Last Time" has been re-released as a benefit single, and all proceeds from the song will be donated! pic.twitter.com/j7jhvAuqGP

— Dangerous Woman Tour (@OfficialDWTour) 3 June 2017

Originally published as Ariana Grande stays strong despite the tears to raise millions for the victims of suicide bombing