Ariana Grande said she was “moved and honored” after finding out that the city of Manchester, England had named her an honorary citizen for all she had done after the bombing outside her concert in May.
“I don’t know what to say,” the 24-year-old pop singer wrote Thursday on Instagram, along with a screenshot from an article about the move by Manchester officials, becoming the city’s first ever honorary citizen. (RELATED: 24 Reasons To Wish Ariana Grande A Happy 24th Birthday [SLIDESHOW])
(Photo by Getty Images/Dave Hogan for One Love Manchester)
“Words don’t suffice, ” she added. “I’m moved and honored. My heart is very much still there. I love you. Thank you.” (RELATED: Ariana Grande Pays Tribute To Youngest Manchester Bombing Victim)
City council leader Sir Richard Leese described Grande as “a young American woman for whom it would have been understandable if she never wanted to see this place again. But no-instead she, as an artist, a performer, was determined that she would not perform again until she had returned to Manchester to perform.”
“In doing so she brought comfort to thousands, she raised millions for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund and became the first patron of that fund,” he added. “And that’s why I propose that Ariana Grande is named the first honorary citizen of Manchester.”
On May 22, a suicide bomber killed 22 people and injured dozens of others outside her concert at the Manchester Arena. A few weeks later, Grande returned to the city with other top name performers for the “One Love Manchester” benefit concert.
According to the British Red Cross, more than $12 million was raised for the victims and the families.