Ariana Grande’s bee tattoo holds a special place in her heart, serving as a poignant tribute to the victims of the tragic Manchester Arena bombing. On May 22, 2017, shortly after Grande finished performing at the venue, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device, killing 22 people and injuring at least 800 others. In the aftermath of the attack, Grande expressed her sorrow on social media, stating, “Broken. From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don’t have words,” as reported by Billboard.
Nearly a year later, in May 2018, the “No Tears Left to Cry” singer revealed she had gotten a bee tattoo behind her ear, marking the anniversary of the tragedy. In a post on social media, Grande captioned the photo with the word “Forever,” which resonated deeply with her fans. The bee, a symbol of strength and unity, had already become a powerful emblem for Manchester, as BBC reported.
Following the bombing, tattoo artist Sam Barber launched The Manchester Tattoo Appeal, offering to tattoo a bee on people for £50, with all proceeds donated to victims and their families. The bee was selected as a symbol of resilience, representing a city that “has always stuck together.” According to CNN, Barber called it the “obvious choice” for Manchester, a city known for its solidarity in the face of adversity. The initiative quickly spread, with numerous tattoo parlors joining the cause, ultimately raising over £500,000 for the victims.
Though the bee tattoo initially served as a charity fundraiser, it soon became a broader symbol of solidarity for the survivors of the Manchester bombing. Grande, in addition to her tattoo, further supported the victims by organizing the One Love Manchester benefit concert in June 2017. The event featured numerous high-profile artists and raised $23 million for the cause. Despite the success, Grande later revealed in a 2019 Vogue interview that she left the concert feeling like “they didn’t really accomplish anything” since it couldn’t bring back the lost lives.
In that interview, Grande also expressed her emotional struggle with the bombing’s aftermath. “It’s not my trauma,” she said, acknowledging the immense grief of the victims’ families. She also admitted that, in the wake of the attack, she threw herself into her work, avoiding the complex emotions tied to the tragedy.
Over time, Grande sought therapy and was diagnosed with PTSD. In a 2018 interview with Beats Radio 1, she broke down in tears while discussing how the bombing had shifted her outlook on life, making her feel more fearful. Despite this, she remained determined not to let the attackers succeed in instilling fear. The bombing, which profoundly affected Grande, continues to be a significant part of her emotional journey.
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