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Ariana Grande "moved" by Manchester honour

Ariana Grande performing at the One Love Manchester concert
Ariana Grande performing at the One Love Manchester concert

Ariana Grande has said she is "moved and honoured" by the news that she has been made the first honorary citizen of the city of Manchester adding that her heart is "very much still there."

Grande's honour comes after the 23-year-old star organised a benefit concert to raise money for the victims of a terror attack after one of her concerts in the city on May 22.

Taking to Twitter, Grande thanked Manchester for welcoming her as an honorary citizen saying, "I don't know what to say. Words don't suffice. I'm moved and honored. My heart is very much still there. I love you. Thank you. (sic)"

Councillors in Manchester voted unanimously on Wednesday morning to make Grande an honorary citizen of the city after the motion had been put forward by council leader Sir Richard Leese.

Leese spoke of the decision to make Grande's connection with the community official. "We've all had cause to be incredibly proud of Manchester and the resilient and compassionate way in which the city responded to the terrible events of May 22 with love and courage rather than hatred and fear."

"Ariana exemplified this response. I think many people would already consider her an honorary Mancunian, and we would be delighted to make it official," he told the Daily Star.

The benefit show at Manchester's Old Trafford Cricket Ground came just two weeks after 22 people were killed and dozens were injured at Grande's concert in the city.

Grande enlisted an all-star line-up for the concert including Coldplay, Niall Horan, Katy Perry and many more.

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