Young women and girls pack Ariana Grande’s concerts, snap up her songs the moment they’re released and follow her every social media post. In her music, shows and videos, Ms. Grande — ever-smiling as she unleashes a soaring voice — is what her fans long to be: Self-assured, sexy, talented, optimistic, in control and proudly feminine. Pink balloons drop at the end of her concerts — a deliberately chosen color — and many of her fans were happily clutching them on the way out of the Manchester Arena when a terrorist’s bomb exploded there on Monday.

Whether Ms. Grande’s show in particular or simply a large, vulnerable crowd was the target of the bombing in England has not been established. But the attack, for which the Islamic State has claimed responsibility, killed fans — including an 8-year-old girl — who had gathered to enjoy Ms. Grande’s amorous self-assurance.