Father's touching letter to Ariana Grande after Manchester attack goes viral

'Broken': Ariana Grande said she was 'so, so sorry' after the attack on her concert
PA
Tom Powell26 May 2017

A father of three young girls has written a touching open letter to popstar Ariana Grande about the tragedy that unfolded at her Manchester concert on Monday night.

The singer said she was “broken” and “so, so sorry” after suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people and injured 59 as they left the Manchester Arena.

Patrick Millsaps, 44, who lives in Georgia, US, posted his letter to Grande on Twitter and it quickly went viral – being shared more than 20,000 times.

Grande herself has liked the Tweet, as well as other stars including Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus.

“I am a father of three daughters - ages 13, 12 and 12. So you have been a part of our family for years,” Mr Millsaps wrote.

“After reading a tweet you posted on Twitter the other night; I’m afraid I need to set you straight girl. So listen up and receive some redneck love from a daddy of daughters.

"You don’t have a dadgum 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? If the night before your concert, a tornado hit Manchester and tragically killed several people who were going 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 act in your proximity than you would be for a devastating natural disaster or acts of morons near your hotel. Your text was some stinkin’ thinkin’ in that regard.”

Manchester Arena Terror Attack: Tributes in lights

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Mr Millsaps, an American film producer, also offered her advice about when to return to performing.

"Spend time with your God, your family and your friends who will give you space and support when you need it," he wrote.

“When you and only when you are ready, on behalf of all the dads who love your… um… whose daughters love your music SING AGAIN.”

Grande was performing as part of her Dangerous Woman tour. She was set to play London's O2 Arena on Thursday and Friday, but cancelled in the wake of the tragedy.

She later cancelled a string of European dates into June in order to pay her “proper respects to those lost”.

Grande also released a joint statement with her manager Scooter Braun, telling fans they will ‘never let evil win’.

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