Pop star Ariana Grande has just wrapped her performance as the youngest person to ever headline the Coachella music festival.
Controversy has surrounded the festival because its owner, Philip Anschutz, has donated to three conservative Christian organizations who are vocal about their pro-gun and anti-LGBTI views. Many artists have boycotted the festival with many deciding to go ahead with performances including pansexual singer, Janelle Monae.
Grande who will headline Manchester Pride this year, ended her historic performance displaying a giant rainbow Pride flag across the stage’s screens. She also waved a small flag during her performance and fireworks went off as she left the stage.
And that’s a wrap! 🎆🌈 #ARICHELLA pic.twitter.com/C8GaHa5VyJ
— Ariana Grande Today (@ArianaToday) April 15, 2019
Twitter users described it as a big ‘fuck you’ to Anschutz.
Omg Ariana really said fuck you to the CEO of Coachella and displayed an LGBTQ flag… legend #AriChella
— Rafa 🛸 (@raindropsrafa) April 15, 2019
‘Omg Ariana really said fuck you to the CEO of Coachella and displayed an LGBTQ flag… legend,’ one Twitter user wrote.
ARIANA REALLY DECIDED TO SAY THE BIGGEST FUCK YOU TO COACHELLA OWNER WHO IS A FUCKING HOMOPHOBE AND DISPLAYED THIS HUGE ASS PRIDE FLAG AT THE END OF HER PERFORMANCE NOTHING BUT RESPECT FOR THIS QUEER QUEEN 🌈#Arichella pic.twitter.com/us0KepiEUI
— yara (@xbasicunicorn) April 15, 2019
ariana put a pride flag at the end of her set as a fuck you to the festival donating to anti lgbt organizations she won
— cailey (@shockingcabeyo) April 15, 2019
The fact that Ariana ended Coachella with a huge pride flag and fireworks is everything.
— 😊😊😊 (@thankujells) April 15, 2019
Coachella
Anschutz has addressed the controversy over his donations in a 2017 interview. He claimed he was not anti-LGBTI and would no longer donate to organizations that are LGBTI.
The Coachella website also promotes a ‘festival and culture that is safe, inclusive and fun for all’.
‘We are taking deliberate steps to develop a festival culture that is safe and inclusive for everyone. Persons of any gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, age or ability are welcome at Coachella,’ the website reads.
‘Coachella will NOT tolerate any form of assault or harassment, be it sexual, physical or verbal. Anyone found to be in violation of this policy is subject to immediate removal from the festival site and law enforcement may be notified.’
An emotional performance
The overall response to Grande’s set was positive despite technical issues and being forced to rush through because production was delayed.
Grande reunited early noughties boy group, N*Sync – minus Justin Timberlake – and also invited rappers Mase and Diddy onstage.
But sound issues plagued her reunion with long-time collaborator, Nicki Minaj. The pair said during the set that they could not hear themselves during their hits Side to Side and Bang Bang. The issues made it difficult for Minaj to finish her verses and the rapper was spotted crying backstage afterwards.
my last 2 brain cells during a math test #ARICHELLA pic.twitter.com/IxEZ2ffMsD
— diana mae (@lostinjapantry) April 15, 2019
live shot of the sound techs during ariana’s entire performance #ARICHELLA #coachella pic.twitter.com/nPdHvbChxE
— Ti Butler 💎 (@tibutler) April 15, 2019
Grande also became very emotional during her biggest hit, thank u, next. The 25-year-old clearly became emotional when paying tribute to her ex Mac Miller who died last year.
Wish I could say, “Thank you” to Malcolm
‘Cause he was an angel #ARICHELLA pic.twitter.com/kTWwwJC1Sa— Yare☁️ (@CamilizerCC1EG4) April 15, 2019
She will return to perform again on 21 April as Coachella returns for a second weekend.