Following Monday night’s horrific terrorist attack in Manchester that has left 22 people dead and 64 injured, a father-of-three girls has penned an emotional open letter to Ariana Grande, which has began circulating on Twitter.
Getty ImagesPatrick Millsaps, 44, who lives in Georgia, USA wrote a public letter to the 23-year-old singer urging her not to blame herself.
The letter, which Millsaps posted on Twitter, has been retweeted 19 thousand times and liked 40 thousand times so far by stars including Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande herself.
In the letter addressed to “Miss Grande” Millsaps opens: “You have been a part of our family for years.”
He continues: “After reading a tweet you posted on Twitter the other night; I’m afraid I need to set to set you straight girl. So listen up and receive some redneck love from a daddy of daughters.
“#1. You don’t have a dagum thing to apologise for.
“If some jackass had gotten drunk and killed someone with his car next to your hotel in Manchester, would you feel responsible?” he said.
“If the night before your concert, a tornado had hit Manchester and tragically killed several people who were going to go to your concert, would you feel the need to apologise?
“You see, you are no more responsible for the actions of an insane coward who committed an evil act in your proximity than you would be for a devastating natural disaster or acts of morons near your hotel.”
Talking about her management, he says: “Tell them that if they call you within the next 30 days, they are fired! These ‘experts’ don’t have a freaking clue what you are processing right now. Spend time with your God, your family and your friends who will give you space and support when you need it.”
In his emotional final point, Millsaps says: “When and only when you are ready, on behalf of all dads who love your… um… whose daughters love your music SING AGAIN.
“Music is the international language of peace. Every time you open your mouth and share that incredible God-given gift with the world, you make this crappy world a little less crappy.”
He finished “Take care of yourself first. Your fans aren’t going anywhere.”
Ariana Grande has cancelled her Dangerous Woman tour dates until 7 June, her representatives have confirmed.
Ariana is yet to release an official statement regarding the tragedy but took to twitter in the early hours of Tuesday morning to express her heart break over the night’s events. She tweeted: “broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words.”
Ariana Grande’s hit One Last Time has hit number 1 in the iTunes chart as a fan-led tribute to the victims of the Manchester bombing.