Ariana Grande has responded to criticism of her headlining this year’s Manchester Pride, saying that the ticket price was “mostly” out of her control.
Manchester Pride has taken a bashing on social media this year due to a new pricing structure and issues surrounding who it announced as its headline for 2019, Ariana Grande.
The announcement was branded a cis-straight whitewashing of the pride by one LGBT artist while, The Voice finalist Lauren Bannon called the new pricing a “joke” and a the event “venture capitalist”
Grande’s headlining confirmation spurred a huge online debate, with many questioning why a straight-identified artist was chosen by the Pride.
The singer has now responded, Taking to Twitter she wrote,
“Hi my love. I have nothing to do with ticket pricing – Manchester Pride sets those rates, and they’re mostly out of my control.
“The LGBTQ community has been so special to me and supportive throughout my entire career. 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. LGBTQ representation is incredibly important, and I’m always proud to share the stage with 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.”
Grande will be joined by Years and Years, 80’s duo Bananarama over the August bank holiday weekend at Mayfield Depot.