Ariana Grande will become an honorary citizen of Manchester, England after officials voted to award her the distinction for the singer’s fundraising efforts following the terrorist attack at her concert in May.
(Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
A suicide bomber carried out an attack on Grande’s show in Manchester on May 22, claiming the lives of 22 people and injuring dozens more. Just weeks after the horrifying incident, the 24-year-old singer returned to the city to host a benefit concert called One Love Manchester to raise money for the victims and their families.
City council leader Sir Richard Leese proposed the idea in June, and the other council officials voted in favor of his proposal on Wednesday, Fox News reports. (RELATED: Suspect Arrested For Threatening Another Attack On An Ariana Grande Concert)
“We’ve all had cause to be incredibly proud of Manchester and the resilient and compassionate way in which the city, and all those associated with it, have responded to the terrible events of 22 May, with love and courage rather than hatred and fear,” Leese said when he first announced the proposal.
“Ariana Grande exemplified this response. I think many people would already consider her an honorary Mancunian and we would be delighted, if the council approves the proposal, to make it official,” Leese said.
(Photo by Getty Images/Dave Hogan for One Love Manchester)
Grande’s One Love Manchester concert, which she performed at along with a long list of other popular musicians, raised millions for the victims and families of the May 22 bombing and helped the community.
Grande will be the first person to become an honorary citizen of Manchester.