In a new interview with Elle, pop superstar Ariana Grande tells the magazine that she’s proud to take a political stance — especially after a 2017 terror attack at her concert in Manchester, England, killed 22 and injured 500 more. Aligning herself with gun reform and Black Lives Matter, Grande said that it’s “wild” to her that people with a platform don’t stand up for what they believe in, even if it sparks a backlash.
“There’s a lot of noise when you say anything about anything. But if I’m not going to say it, what’s the f-cking point of being here? Not everyone is going to agree with you, but that doesn’t mean I’m just going to shut up and sing my songs,” Grande said. “I’m also going to be a human being who cares about other human beings; to be an ally and use my privilege to help educate people.”
With a new album, Sweetener, out August 17, Elle reveals that Grande’s tracks touch on her experience after the Manchester bombing, though the singer is hesitant to directly talk about it, as to not overshadow the victims’ stories.
“When I got home from tour, I had really wild dizzy spells, this feeling like I couldn’t breathe,” Grande told Elle. “I would be in a good mood, fine and happy, and they would hit me out of nowhere. I’ve always had anxiety, but it had never been physical before. There were a couple of months straight where I felt so upside down.”
For now, fans will have to sate their appetites with the singles she’s released so far. Take a look at “the light is coming” ft. rapper Nicki Minaj below.
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