Two weeks after the terrorist attack at Ariana Grande’s concert in Manchester, where 23 adults and children were killed and hundreds more were injured by a suicide bomber, the pop star hosted a One Love Manchester benefit concert that was heartfelt and pure. During the three-hour-long show, more than $2.6 million was raised for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, adding to $9 million that had already been donated.
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Sharing the stage with Grande was a star-studded lineup including Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Black Eyed Peas, Pharrell, Coldplay and Liam Gallagher, a Manchester native and former member of Oasis. While their performances were unforgettable, their words hold just as much power, especially coming 24 hours after the London terrorist attack.
Here are the most powerful speeches from the show.
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Katy Perry: “It’s not easy to always choose love, is it? Especially in moments like these. It can be the most difficult thing to do. But love conquers fear and love conquers hate. And that love that you choose will give you strength.”
Justin Bieber: “God is good in the midst of the darkness. God is good in the midst of the evil. God is in the midst, and he loves you and he is here for you.”
Niall Horan: “When I saw you guys rallying together last week, it was a sight to behold and it was incredible… We love you, we’re with you, all of us are with you. The whole world is watching.”
Miley Cyrus: “The most important responsibility we have on this entire planet is to take care of one another, and look at what we’re doing today and how amazing that is.”
Pharrell. “I’m bowing because, despite all of the things that have been going on in this place, I don’t feel or smell or hear or see any fear in this building. All we feel tonight is love, resilience, and positivity.”
Gary Barlow of Take That: “Our thoughts are with everyone that has been affected by this, but right now we want to stand strong, look at the sky and sing loud and proud.”
Will.I.Am performing “Where Is the Love?”: “We are here and we are together and we are one.”
After one powerful performance after the other, Grande’s manager, Scooter Braun, took the stage to make a moving speech of his own before bringing out Ariana.
“Last night, this nation was challenged and all of you were challenged. And you had to make a decision about whether you were going to come tonight. And look at this — this is so beautiful. You looked fear in the face and said, ‘This is Manchester. The world is watching.’ Don’t go forward in anger. Love spreads. Hatred will never win, fear will never divide us, because on this day, we all stood with Manchester.”
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