In fact, around the time Grande was set to appear in Manchester, organizers of Los Angeles’ Pride event had just booked Meghan Trainor to headline.

More often than not, Pride headliners don’t identify as LGBTQ themselves. All the blowback prompted a response from the superstar herself, who tweeted: “If you truly feel that I didn’t deserve to be offered this spot, I respect that.” But she also defended her appearance: “I want to celebrate and support this community regardless of my identity … over the years, Pride events have been headlined by artists and performers of all sexual orientations and genders, including straight allies like Cher and Kylie Minogue.”Īnd she’s not wrong.