Ariana Grande has been made an honourary citizen of Manchester, England after a unanimous motion was passed Wednesday following a vote by the city’s councillors.
The “Side to Side” singer, 23, returned to Manchester just weeks after a horrific bombing for a benefit concert for the victims. One Love Manchester was streamed across all of iHeartRadio’s stations and raised more than $12 million USD for the 22 victims and families affected by the attack.
One of the councillors, Sir Richard Lee, said it would have been “understandable” had Grande not returned so quickly. “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,” he said.
“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. And that's why I propose that Ariana Grande is made the first honorary citizen of the city of Manchester.”
Lee also remarked upon those affected by the tragedy. “This council recognises that the loss of so many innocent lives cruelly murdered on the night of May 22 at Manchester is something that will always stay in our hearts and minds.
He added: “We recognise too the magnificent response to this tragedy from people already at the scene, from first responders, from the vast range of public service workers, and from many ordinary members of the public.”
Watch Grande’s performance of “One Last Time” from the benefit concert below: