Ariana Grande has responded to a backlash over her Manchester Pride headline slot, telling fans she wants to “celebrate and support” the LGBTQ+ community by performing at the event.
After weeks of rumours, the 7 Rings singer was confirmed as the headliner for this year’s festival on Wednesday, but some fans questioned whether she was the right booking, especially as ticket prices are now at £70.
One thread that went viral on Twitter suggested the situation “kinda smells like exploitation of the lgbt community to me”.
The user added: “just to make it clear i’m not blaming ariana! i know she’s done so much for manchester etc so i understand the sentiment behind it, and i know there’s management and organisation staff involved so it’s not her fault about prices or anything.” [sic]
“i just find it a bit weird/uncomfortable when it’s a festival celebrating being proud of your lgbt identity and then a straight artist is chosen to be the headliner and ‘face’ of the whole event,” they added.
As the thread gained more retweets and likes, Ariana herself weighed in, telling fans that she’s “not claiming to be the hero of the community”.
“The LGBTQ community has been so special to me and supportive throughout my entire career,” she wrote. “The relationships I have with my LGBTQ fans, friends, and family make me so so happy.
“I want to celebrate and support this community, regardless of my identity or how people label me.”
“And also I wanna visit a city that means so much to me,” she added.
“LGBTQ representation is incredibly important, and I’m always proud to share the stage with artists LGBTQ artists!
“Over the years, Pride events have been headlined by performers and artists of all sexual orientations and genders, including straight allies like Cher and Kylie Minogue.
“I do think there’s room for us to talk about these issues without equating a performance *for* an LGBTQ audience with exploitation of the LGBTQ community.
“If you truly feel like I didn’t deserve to be offered this spot, I respect that. but I did accept it excitedly and gratefully.
“I’m not claiming to be the hero of the community or the face of the LGBTQ rights movement – I just wanna put on a show that makes my LGBTQ fans feel special and celebrated and supported. That’s all I wanna do.”
She also addressed complaints about the ticket prices, stating that she has “nothing to do with” it.
“Manchester pride sets those rates, and they’re mostly out of my control,” Ariana added.
The singer last appeared in Manchester in June 2017 at the One Love concert, which raised money for the emergency fund after the terror attack which took place outside her Manchester Arena concert the previous month.
After her Pride headline slot was announced, Ariana tweeted that she was “thrilled” to be performing at the event and also tweeted a picture of a worker bee, an emblem for the city.
Manchester Pride Live takes place on the August Bank Holiday weekend. Other acts performing include Years & Years, Bananarama and Pixie Lott.