First Confirmed Manchester Victim Met Ariana Grande And Was Devoted Fan

An Ariana Grande superfan who tweeted her excitement at attending the singer’s concert before Monday’s suspected terrorist attack in Manchester, England, is the first of 22 victims to be publicly named.

Georgina Callander, 18, had just tweeted at Grande the day before the show, “SO EXCITED TO SEE U TOMORROW.” Her school said in a statement that she had died in the suspected attack that also injured 59 people.

She previously shared a backstage photo with Grande from two years ago at the same venue, Manchester Arena. “I hugged her so tight and she said she loved my bow. I can’t get over this, I never will,” she wrote at the time. (Callander is on the left)

In Twitter tributes from friends and loved ones, one woman called Callander “a beautiful girl with the kindest heart & soul.” Another, Sophie Jauregui, wished that her “beautiful best friend” rest in peace, saying she was a “true ray of sunshine and loved everyone for who they were.”

“Once Upon A Time” actor Sean Maguire, who met Callander, also voiced his condolences.

Callander was rushed from the scene of the blast to the hospital, where she reportedly died with her mother at her bedside. 

Her school, Runshaw College in Lancashire, paid tribute to her in a statement. “It is with enormous sadness that it appears that one of the people who lost their lives in Monday’s Manchester attack was one of our students here at Runshaw College,” the school said. “Georgina Callander was a former Bishop Rawstorne pupil studying with us on the second year of her Health and Social Care course. Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to all of Georgina’s friends, family and all of those affected by this loss. We are offering all available support possible at this tragic time, including counselling with our dedicated student support team.”