Nicki Minaj shares heartbreak over Ariana Grande concert bombing- and promises she'll visit Manchester in 2018
which left 22 dead and 59 injured.
The rapper collaborated with Ariana, 23, on the UK number one track Bang Bang, also featuring Jessie J, and went on to join Ariana for another song, Side To Side, released last year.
Nicki was asked for her thoughts on the Manchester bombing by TMZ , who spoke to her while she arrived for a flight in the US on Tuesday afternoon.
Eight victims of the attack have been named so far, including eight-year-old schoolgirl Saffie Roussos, who had been attending the concert with her mum and sister.
Georgina Callander, thought to be 18, was the first victim to be named. An Ariana super fan, she’d tweeted her excitement about the concert before going, and posted photos online two years ago of her meeting the popstar.
John Atkinson, 26, was described as a “true gentleman” by his loved ones, who said he was “one in a million and loved by so many.”
Olivia Campbell, 15, was named among the dead by her heartbroken mother, who said: "Taken far far to soon go sing with the angels and keep smiling mummy loves you so much."
Mums Alison Howe, 45, and Lisa Lees, 47, who had been waiting to collect their daughters at the concert, both died.
Brave Kelly Brewster, 32, died after shielding her young niece from the blast.
Teenager Megan Hurley was also killed in the attack.
Ariana arrived home in Boca Raton, Florida on Tuesday, after catching a flight out of the UK following the terror attack.
Dressed in a black hoodie, leggings and sneakers, the singer looked very upset as she descended the stairs of her private jet to meet boyfriend Mac Miller, who gave her a kiss and a big hug before she got into an awaiting car.
Ariana's mum Joan was with her; Joan had earlier been praised on social media after it emerged she'd helped a group of young fans to safety.
It's thought the private jet used by Ariana to leave the UK was donated by her friend Taylor Swift, who had earlier tweeted to send the 22 victims and scores of injured her best wishes.
"My thoughts, prayers and tears for all those affected by the Manchester tragedy tonight. I'm sending all my love," she posted.
As Ariana has now left the UK and returned to the US, it will put a question mark over the future of her Dangerous Woman tour.
She was due to perform at London's O2 Arena this Thursday and Friday, but as yet no decisions have been made about cancelling or postponing her performances.
Ariana and her touring crew were physically unharmed in the attack but her drummer Aaron Spears told a Fox 5 DC journalist that the "painful memory" of the incident would live on forever.
Her manager, Scooter Braun, said in a statement: "Our hearts are broken. Words cannot express our sorrow for the victims and families harmed in this senseless attack.
"We mourn the lives of children and loved ones taken by this cowardly act. We are thankful for the selfless service tonight of Manchester's first responders who rushed towards danger to help save lives.
"We ask all of you to hold the victims, their families and all those affected in your hearts and prayers."
