Over the past few days, Ariana Grande has found herself in the middle of a spirited discussion regarding her participation in Manchester Pride.
It all started after Twitter user @raininjulyvinyl pointed out that the recent announcement of Grande headlining Manchester Pride felt a little bit exploitative. The tweet reads: “idk …. ariana headlining pride when she’s straight (as far as we’re all aware) …. and doubling the price of tickets …. kinda smells like exploitation of the lgbt community to me …..”
That tweet went on to be retweeted more than 17,000 times, prompting Grande to respond to it with a long note explaining her decision. She says that she had nothing to do with ticket pricing, and she reiterated her support for the LGBTQ community.
“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,” she wrote. “LGBTQ representation is incredibly important, and I’m always proud to share the stage with LGBTQ artists!”
i saw many people discussing this so i wanted to chime in…. hope that’s okay 🖤🌫 pic.twitter.com/7joiZwI1QS
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) February 27, 2019
And now Grande has found support in two out musicians: Years and Years’ Olly Alexander and MNEK.
In a tweet, Alexander pointed out that while he would like to see more LGBTQ artists headlining Pride events, there are often very real needs that have to be considered.
““I’d love to see more LGBT+ headliners across all bills, the reality is line ups are a mix of artists depending on their availability and the need to sell tickets,” he wrote. “Pride’s normally raise money so they can put on their events and donate to various (usually local) causes.”
I wrote a note ! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rNwVzcTbeA
— olly ✨ (@alexander_olly) February 28, 2019
MNEK also pointed out that if people wanted to see LGBTQ acts headline more Pride celebrations, people should go out and support those artists.
“You need to buy LGBTQ artists’ music, and buy their concert tickets, and support LGBTQ artists,” he said in a video posted to his Twitter account.
periodt. pic.twitter.com/cra2lalE0w
— MNEK (@MNEK) February 28, 2019
Are there any LGBTQ artists you guys would like to see headline Pride? Tell us about them in the comments section below!
UGH, noting will satisfy ppl or gays, they just need something to bitch about. After the event they will find something to bitch about after. So let the artist do their thing. Like Mnek said support the artist, now the gays r complaining that Ariana is straight so she shouldn’t headline, talk bout hypocrisy. I’m just fed up of this overly colourful gay community which is just self centered and very judgmental.
Believing that lgbtq performers are the only proper performers for an lgbtq event is bigoted because it judges non-lgbtq performers as inferior. It’s childishly intolerant because it’s like saying “Because someone was intolerant of me, I’m going to be intolerant of others to make up for it.” It also smacks of “separate but equal” thinking. But, unfortunately, too many labtq people lapse into shallow, entitled, and reactive thinking and the above mindsets show that. That said, Ariana Grande IS probably trying to appear lgbtq friendly to make the most money she can in her 15 minute career. The fact is… Read more »
What kind of sick entitlement-mentality society have we become? Should be that a big “get” like Ariana Grande is something to be CELEBRATED not scorned! Why is it that some whiny complaining gays just can’t be happy about ANYTHING and always must find something to be perpetually-offended by? If the Pride Festival had no-name artists that were, themselves, of the GLBT persuasion, then lord knows there’d be crybabies out there protesting THAT (i.e. “why didn’t they get bigger names to headline the event?”) Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. The fact that 17,000 retweeted the hysterical ungrateful kvetching… Read more »
Was thinking the same Mike, if no big name headlines the event they will bitch about how no straight entertainers wants to support LGBTQ and they want their money but not support them, and when they do get support they don’t want them there, I bet if Beyonce shows up there would still be naysayers that says she’s cool and all but u know she’s straight and has a husband she’ll never understand us. Smh.
That twitter user sounds he wants to stir things up. Ariana Grande is showing support to the community and that’s the ‘support’ she’s getting back? You keep doing your thing Ariana! I support her.
Well of course Ariana Grande should perform at a Pride event. She is, after all, the epitome of must m-u-s-t MUST music that gays should listen to (at least according to purveyors of the stereotypical view of who gays are). And of course she should perform for the LGBTQ+ crowd. After all, why wouldn’t she wish to derive income from them just as she does from the non-LGBTQ+ crowd? That’s equality at its best! Isn’t it? And as a bonus, she can show her support for LGBTQ+ people and be credited for that by her adoring LGBTQ+ fans. The chatter… Read more »
You’re all sinners and need to be Saved!!!
You are in the wrong century; not that what you say was ever right.
Hmmm wait a minute noww….. Tho without sin shall cast the first stone… am I not correct? Check yourself before you wreck yourself even more boo! Thank you NEXT!