Ariana Grande: ‘We had a totally different show planned’
ARIANA Grande has revealed a last-minute request from a terror victim’s grieving mum had made her change all her Manchester concert plans.
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ARIANA Grande delivered her promise to return to Manchester after a suicide bomber killed 22 people leaving her concert — and she didn’t come alone.
The singer, 23, brought a bevy of famous faces with her to Manchester’s Old Trafford Cricket Ground to put on a united front in the face of terrorism, The Sun reports.
First on stage was Marcus Mumford, who led the 50,000-strong crowd and people at home in a minute’s silence to pay tribute to the people affected.
After a moving performance, he welcomed local heroes Take That to the stage.
The trio set the pace for the rest of the event with an upbeat and fun set, kicking off with singalong anthem Shine.
They went on to dedicate Rule The World to people directly affected by the atrocity on May 22.
Speaking ahead of the show, Take That member Mark Owen said that the band were approached to perform “a week ago” and praised her for pulling together such an incredible line-up.
Other artists who on the bill included Little Mix, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Robbie Williams, who followed his ex-bandmates on to the stage.
Despite hopes that the group would perform as a foursome, they only managed a fleeting reunion as they shared a bow on stage.
Robbie held hands with the guys moments before they rushed off stage to head to their own concert in Birmingham.
Dad-of-two Robbie fought back tears as he sang Strong — changing the lyrics to pay tribute to those affected by the attack.
Things got even more emotional with his second track, Angels.
Pharrell Williams was on next, performing Get Lucky to the delighted crowd.
“I don’t smell, hear or feel any fear — all I feel is love and positivity,” he told the crowd — before cheekily adding it made him feel amorous.
He then welcomed Miley Cyrus to the stage to perform Happy with him.
They changed the lyrics to declare that “Manchester will be just fine”, prompting a roar of delight from the audience.
Miley stayed on stage to perform another song, but before that gave a rallying cry for people to start “taking care of each other”.
She said: “The most important responsibility we have on this planet is to take care to one another. Look what we’re doing together.”
Miley also paid tribute to her close friend Ariana, telling fans about her own charitable ventures and complimenting her on being a good role model for young girls.
Niall Horan delighted the crowd when he told them how it always felt great to perform in Manchester.
After a stunning solo performance with just his guitar, he thanked the city and told them to enjoy the rest of the night.
Star of the show Ariana was next to perform, but not before her manager and concert co-organiser Scooter Braun took to the stage to reveal how she had urged him to help her show her fans that terrorism and fear would not win.
As she came on stage, she began by holding hands with her dancers, a small act of defiance after a harrowing few weeks.
At one point it was reported that she wanted to quit the music industry as she felt so responsible for the loss of life that occurred after her concert.
Earlier today, Ariana was seen rehearsing at the massive venue ahead of her performance, which is her first time on stage since the atrocities of May 22.
Tonight she showed not an ounce of apprehension, putting on an impressive show with a troupe of dancers.
She later returned to sing a duet with Victoria Monet, bringing a gentle and reflective atmosphere to the arena.
She then upped the tempo with the Black Eyed Peas, singing Justin Timberlake’s parts during Where Is The Love?
The track ignited a passionate response from the audience, with Ariana visibly moved as she sang the feel good anthem — which was originally written in response to the 911 terror attacks.
Ariana also teamed up with her boyfriend Mac Miller, who flew over to Manchester to support her on stage.
Speaking to the audience, she revealed that the concert was going to have a very different vibe until yesterday when she met the mum of one of the fans who lost their life at her concert.
She said: “I want to thank you all for being here today. Thank you for being here and being so loving and strong.
“I love you guys so much the kind of love and unity you are showing is the medicine the world needs right now.
“I want to thank you for coming. I love you so much.
“I had the pleasure of meeting Olivia’s mummy a few days ago and as soon as I met her I started crying and gave her a big hug and she said ‘you should stop crying’ because Olivia wouldn’t want me to cry.
“And then she told me that Olivia would have wanted to hear the hits.
“So that means that we have a totally different show planned. We had a rehearsal yesterday and this evening has been so light and so filled with fun and love and bright energy and I want to thank you for that.
“Are you all ready to have some fun? Come on!”
Little Mix performed a rousing rendition of Wings, with the girls looking sensational in matching monochrome outfits.
Jade Thirlwall spoke for the group as she revealed how honoured they were to take part in the show as she said: “The song we’ve chosen to give you guys is one that we wrote together a few years ago in the hope that it would empower people to stand together and to not let anything bring them down.
Another emotional tribute came from Justin Bieber who praised God after a speech about the people who lost their lives at Ariana’s gig.
Coldplay turned covers band later in the evening, performing Oasis’ Don’t Look Back In Anger and James’ Sit Down.
Ariana helped rouse the audience during the Oasis song, with the hit’s lyrics beamed on to the giant screen behind the band.
They also performed a touching version of Fix You — but the most jaw-dropping moment of their time on the One Love stage came later in the night.
Chris Martin accompanied Liam Gallagher as he sang Live Forever — months after he was accused of looking like “a vicar” and “a geography teacher” by the gobby Mancunian.
Ariana sang what’s become an anthem for her mourning fans, One Last Time, flanked by her famous friends as the concert drew to a close the concert.
She then returned to the stage to sing the final song of the night: a powerful rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, leaving fans in floods of tears.
Ariana’s manager Scooter Braun released a statement explaining how today’s concert — which will be broadcast live around the world — will “honour those lost injured and affected”.
“We plan to honour them with courage, bravery, and defiance in the face of fear. Today’s One Love Manchester benefit concert will not only continue, but will do so with greater purpose.
“We must not be afraid and in tribute to all those affected here and around the world, we will bring our voices together and sing loudly.
“All artists involved have been unwavering in their support this morning and are determined to carry on with the show.
“We ask the strong city of Manchester and the world to join us in making the statement that hatred and fear will never win.
“Today we stand together. Thank you.”
This story originally appeared in The Sun and is republished here with permission.
Originally published as Ariana Grande: ‘We had a totally different show planned’
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