Communities across the globe are grappling with the news of the attack that took place upon the conclusion of Ariana Grande's concert at the Manchester Arena on May 22. In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, eyewitnesses took to social media to share harrowing accounts of widespread panic and fear, with many groups and families separated from one another amid the chaos. As more information comes in, we are learning that there have been multiple fatalities and injuries, and the first two reported victims are young girls.
It's worth noting that Ariana Grande's fans are, by and large, young people. The targets of this attack were children, teens, LGBTQ youth, and other people who found a safe space and solidarity within Ariana's music. Incidents of violence and hate are always difficult to process, but it takes on a new layer when we think about the fact that these concertgoers were children, teens, their friends, and their parents.
Teen Vogue spoke with 18 teens all over the world about their emotions in the wake of this senseless attack. What we heard was a mixture of devastation, fear, and anger – but above all, resilience. Read on to hear what they had to say.
I’m heartbroken for anyone involved or impacted. No parent should have to worry about sending their child to a concert and never seeing them again. Concerts are a place where many kids go to find comfort and, for many, it feels like a second home. You should be able to enjoy seeing your favorite artist without having to be subconsciously aware of escape routes. It’s unsettling to know cruel people exist, but we have to remember to bounce back stronger. –Savannah, 18
When I heard about what happened in Manchester, my heart broke. Teens my age were killed. Some might have witnessed the death of their friends. Some were injured. It was a typical night. People went to watch their idol sing her heart out on stage only to take their last breath.
We need to wake up and educate children in school and at home. Because the world isn't a safe place. It has never been a safe place, and it will never be a safe place. We need to educate children and teens...about terrorism, about rape, about abuse, about drugs, about violence, about everything that could harm them in any way. We deserve to know. Because one day, when our parents and teachers aren't around, we're gonna take over the earth. We need to be prepared to take on the dangers of the world. We're not 'too young' to know about this stuff. Because in danger’s eyes, no one is ‘too young’ to be a victim. –Assia, 14
I heard the news while eating dinner last night. All that was running through my head was: ‘Why? Why would somebody be so cruel?’ And quite honestly, I still have no idea. Teenagers are already targeted in everyday life. Why should we have to worry about being able to enjoy a night out? I think that the scariest part about living in today's society is that tomorrow is never promised. Feeling so personally victimized to the point where you are afraid to leave your own house is something that absolutely no teenager should have to deal with. I think that this bombing is outrageous, and it should have never happened. As a 15-year-old girl, the only way I can describe my feelings towards this entire situation is with pure hatred and devastation. –Maura, 15
I'm a huge Ariana fan; I saw her on March 1st, and this attack took me aback completely. It made me so sick to my stomach to hear about, and I get chills the more I read and see footage from last night. How can you kill innocent young people? Or their parents? I'm so heartbroken. –Jordyn, 18
Manchester is a place with a lot of culture and history behind it. The talent that has come out of Manchester has had positive influences on me and many other girls my age. In light of the attack last night, it breaks my heart that girls currently in exam season like me may have attended the concert to relieve stress, see their favorite idol perform, and be happy, but they come out traumatized and feeling unsafe. In my opinion, it is important not to pin these attacks to one particular race or religion, as I believe Manchester is a very cultured and diverse place. –Neve, 16
It's tragic to think that innocent children were a target. I attended Ariana's concert a month ago in New Orleans, and it was the most warming, loving environment. To think that these children and teens just came to enjoy that, and someone took that away from them – it’s gut wrenching. My heart and prayers go out to all of the lives lost and those injured, as well as Ariana, who should know that it is not her fault. –MaKayla, 18
The Manchester bombing is something no one will ever forget. Teenage girls like myself were targeted. I'm worried and scared to go out and enjoy myself because of the constant threat of things like this happening. Young teens like me are supposed to be enjoying their teenage years, but now we cannot do that. Those girls were dancing, singing, smiling. My prayers and thoughts are with the families of the victims. –Aisha, 14
I love nothing more than to attend concerts, festivals, nightclubs. Just a few weeks ago, I was at the Ed Sheeran concert in Birmingham, and I’m sad to say that the thought that it could be a target did go through my head. I had one of the best nights, as I'm sure many would have said about Ariana's concert if such an atrocity hadn't occurred. The thought that it could have been anyone is scary, but not one that we should let stop or scare us teenage girls. –Alice, 18
I am truly shaken by the bombing that happened in Manchester. As a teen myself, I understand the excitement and the counting down of days to see my favorite artist perform live. It's heartbreaking knowing that so many beautiful, innocent lives were taken away just like that. Why can't we all just live happily? Without hatred? The human race would be much much happier that way. –Annabelle, 18
This concert wasn't just a place where young girls and members of the LGBTQ community felt safe, it was a place where they felt celebrated. Ariana has always made efforts to make those who may be different or oppressed feel empowered, and that's why she has such a loyal following. The show included a lot of support for marginalized groups, from a video piece celebrating women and declaring that no matter how a woman looks or acts she is not ‘asking for it,’ to having same-sex couples represented in the graphics accompanying her romantic songs. To me, an attack on young women is an attempt to eradicate the amount of social progression that has occurred recently regarding the treatment of women, and the targeting of young girls in particular seems like an attempt to suppress the potential of the future generation of women. I think, now more than ever, women need to stand together in solidarity. –Meredith, 18
Last night, I watched my friends’ Snapchat stories of the fun they were having during the concert, and this morning I woke up to the news of the attack. I was in total shock and disbelief, as was everyone I know. I messaged all of my friends who attended to check they made it out safe (and thankfully they all did). It's like a nightmare. My friend's 13-year-old sister and her friends went to the concert and it was their first experience being without an accompanying adult. It breaks my heart to think that this is how the world greeted them. I'm shaken that this all happened so close to home, and that it was was a deliberate attack on young people. I don't know who to turn to. Nobody seems to have answers. –Sarah, 19
I'm going to graduate high school in less than a month. These young people who were killed won't ever experience that. For them, there will be no graduation, no college, nothing past their time on earth that was cut so short. So much of Ariana's fan base is young girls. Being a teenager isn't the easiest. You're trying to figure out who you are and where you belong. Ariana is a woman that so many teenagers look up to. She has created communities for her fanbase to feel safe and comfortable in. And that safe space has been intruded upon in the most gruesome way. And for a long, long time music – and concerts especially – will be tainted with this cruel and senseless act. –Britney, 17
I went to an Ariana Grande concert three months ago. I remember being so excited to see her perform; it was truly one of the best nights of my life. I also remember leaving the concert with a pink balloon (like the ones you see in the videos) and it exploded in my hands. The popping sound scared me. I can't imagine what the real bomb explosion in Manchester felt like. I have no words to explain how I feel. Knowing it could have been me or any one of us – children, teens, boys and girls just wanting to see their idol perform. This tragedy is absolutely heartbreaking and disturbing. –Emy, 17
I've been an Ariana fan for a few years now and even met her this year at her Dangerous Woman tour. This attack took away fellow fans, and that isn't ok with me. The same concert where I felt the most free, happiest, and safest at is now one where people lost their lives. It's a sad day, but we can't stop. Can't stop going to concerts, can't stop living, because that's when the hate wins. All my love goes to Ariana, the members of her fan base, and the family that we lost. –Chandler, 16
I feel shocked, upset, and confused – basically the whole spectrum of emotions. It's hard to think that teens like me who are Ariana fans lost their lives because of an act of hate. We're told we have to stay strong and positive and push through this despite the tragedy, but it's scary, so scary. So many parents are not going to allow their kids to go to concerts or large events out of fear now, and that's awful. Whenever something like this happens, fear wins. –Leila, 16
One of the most heartbreaking news stories to hear is when people your age are targeted. It opens up this part of your subconscious that makes you realize that this could happen to you and your family. When I first watched a video on Twitter of the explosion, it took me back to every single concert I'd ever been to: Adele, Fall Out Boy, 5 Seconds of Summer, Justin Bieber, One Direction, etc. As I watched the video, I thought about those concerts, how I would’ve escaped, how I would’ve reacted, how my parents would’ve felt; and for the first time in a long time, I felt truly terrified for my future. Those families who went to that concert last night weren't looking for anything other than a great time, and instead they left with heavy hearts. With all that is going on in the world right now, I believe I can speak for all teens when I say we're scared. Deep down, we're worried. We don’t know how our future is going to play out as people continue to make decisions that impact the lives of tomorrow. –Amanda, 16
Last night, I was very nervous because I have an exam today. Whenever I'm stressed, I think about people having a great time somewhere else in the world. I did it yesterday, when hundreds of teens were at a concert. When I woke up, I saw it on the news. All of a sudden, my exam was nothing; my stress felt like something stupid, and my final grade didn't matter. Even though I didn't know anyone at the concert, I felt affected. Those were girls just like me. Maybe they also had an exam today that they stressed over. Maybe they also drank tea first thing in the morning. This could have been me. This could be my mother, father, and friends crying. Because even though it did not happen in my country, it was an attack on my peers: people with dreams, ambitions, ideas, hobbies just like me. I hate to think that it happened. –Aleksandra, 17
I have been crying nonstop since yesterday. The reason teenagers are so sad – and so mad – is because this happened to young people our age. So many teenagers and children. Saffie, the 8-year-old angel who passed, could have been my cousin Camila. Georgina could have been my best friend. Concerts are supposed to be an amazing, fulfilling experience. I can't imagine how scared the victims must have felt in that moment. My prayers are with the families of the passed and all of the affected. But people have been so kind and generous. Love is stronger than hate. –Meyba, 19
These interviews have been condensed and edited for clarity.
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