For reasons of safety, decorum and mental health, Ariana Grande has canceled a handful of upcoming tour dates.
In a statement issued through her publicist, the singer announced on Wednesday that shows scheduled through June 5 will no longer take place.
She has not yet made a decision on concert dates beyond that.
“Due to the tragic events in Manchester the Dangerous Woman tour with Ariana Grande has been suspended until we can further assess the situation and pay our proper respects to those lost,” the pop star’s management team says.
The statement continues:
“The London O2 shows this week have been cancelled as well as all shows through June 5 in Switzerland.
“We ask at this time that we all continue to support the city of Manchester and all those families affected by this cowardice and senseless act of violence.
“Our way of life has once again been threatened but we will overcome this together. Thank you.”
By now, you are likely aware of the tragic circumstances that prompted this statement.
On Monday night, a suicide bomber named Salman Abedi killed 22 people and injured dozens more when he detonated a nail bomb inside Manchester Arena.
He did so toward the end of a Grande concert in the venue.
British are now investigating a “network” of people and have arrested four suspects in connection with the attack, according to Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins.
A representative of Grande’s confirmed that the young artist was physically fine shortly after the attack took place, but she is understandably shaken up.
The star wrote a Tweet in response to the bombing that said she was “broken” inside, simply saying at the time that she was “so sorry” for what transpired and adding that she had no other words to offer.
How could she?
How can anyone?
What is there to say when a terrorist blows up innocent eight-year olds and teenagers?
According to multiple users on Twitter, however, Grande is at least trying to do whatever she can in the wake of this disaster.
We have not yet received confirmation, but she’s allegedly offered to pay for the funeral expenses of every victim.
On Tuesday, Grande flew back to Florida.
She is reportedly holed up with her boyfriend Mac Miller and her family, trying to recover from what happened.
“Ariana is inconsolable,” a source tells Us Weekly, adding:
“She’s absolutely heartbroken. She can’t believe this happened. She spent the night [of the tragedy] crying with her backup dancers and saying how much she adores her fans.”
Echoing this sentiment, a different insider tells People Magazine:
“It’s so, so sad. She loves her fans and is absolutely crushed and devastated as you can imagine. She can’t believe this happened. She just wants to be with her family and loved ones right now.”
Grande had been scheduled to perform next on Thursday night in London.
She has now canceled that show, along with each show through the one slated for Zürich, Switzerland on June 5.
The first date on her calendar that has NOT yet been canceled is a concert in Paris on June 7.
These musical stops are completely unimportant in comparison to the lives lost in Manchester this week, of course, but we’ll keep fans apprised of Grande’s upcoming schedule as more information is released in the coming days.
Just so they can at least plan accordingly.
In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers remain with everyone affected by this tragic act.