Ariana Grande To Be Made Honorary Mancunian

Ariana Grande will receive an honorary citizenship of Manchester under a new system to recognise outstanding contributions to the city. The pop star is the first to be awarded with the honour.

Last month, Grande hosted a large-scale One Love tribute concert in Manchester to raise money for victims of the city's terror attacks which took place at her gig on 22 May.

An estimated 55,000 people watched the One Love show at Old Trafford on 4 June and Grande consequently raised an impressive £3million.

The BBC reports that Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said it would have been understandable if she hadn't returned.

'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.'

Leese also said many would already consider the singer to be a Mancunian.

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'This seems a fitting moment to update the way we recognise those who make noteworthy contributions to the life and success of our city,' he said.

'We've all had cause to be incredibly proud of Manchester and the resilient and compassionate way in which the city, and all those associated with it, have responded to the terrible events of 22 May - with love and courage rather than hatred and fear.'

Manchester loves you, Ariana.

Ella Alexander

Ella Alexander is Harper’s Bazaar's Deputy Digital Editor. She writes across all sections, covering fashion, arts and feminism – from fashion features and shopping galleries to celebrity interviews and long-form opinion pieces. She lives in South London and has an ardent love for Keith Richards, Gary Barlow, AA Gill, George Orwell and Patti Smith (not in order). Her favourite film is The Labyrinth, mostly because of David Bowie, and she is distinguishable through her self-titled ‘Jeremy Corbyn baker boy hat’. She recently achieved relative fame after the Clooneys named their twins, Ella and Alexander, after her.