While in Orlando for their Future Now Tour, Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas did something really cool: they arranged for many Pulse Nightclub employees to attend their show at the Amway Center in the comfort of a VIP suite. The employees were also invited to the Meet and Greet Prior to the performance and all of it was compliments of Demi and Nick. During the show, Demi invited “an extremely special” friend of the tour named Hank to the stage to pray. After the prayer, the amazing Andra Day joined them and performed Rise Up. While they sang, the names of the victims and slain The Voice singer Christina Grimmie displayed on the giant screen behind them.
For Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato, Saturday night’s concert wasn’t like the rest.
As the talented pair continue traveling cross the country as part of their Honda Civic Tour, the performers decided to do something special for dozens of employees at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.
In a Facebook post shared over the weekend, fans learned that several workers were able to enjoy the duo’s show for free. In fact, they even got to take part in a meet and greet before the show.
“Nick Jonas & Demi Lovato, thank you for making the pulse family smile #onepulse #orlandostrong #pulseorlando,” the post read. “We will rise and not be defeated! #onepulse #pulseorlando.”
E! News can also confirm that close to 30 employees received a private suite at the Amway Center for Saturday night’s show. During the emotional gig, Nick and Demi surprised the crowd when they welcomed Andra Day onto the stage for a special collaboration of “Rise Up.”
As the three artists showed off their vocals, the names and ages of the victims from the recent Orlando shooting were shown on the big screen. The Voice contestant Christina Grimmie was also honored during the sold-out concert.
Demi’s tweet about Christina Grimmie was actually how I found out about her death. If you want to listen to the prayer prior to the song, you can watch that here. In it, Hank said, “We want to pause in the midst of this exciting night, in the midst of this beautiful night, and we want to pause and say a prayer. A prayer of healing. And for you, a prayer is just an ask, so what I want you to do is just want to invite you to join us in praying to whatever God is to you, but I’m going to ask that we do this together, so when we pray together, we heal together. We know that the only response to hate is love. And we know that the only response to violence is peace. And the only response to evil is good. So we in this room, 10,000 strong in Orlando, we rise up!” This is some footage of “Rise Up” showing the names.
Obviously Demi and Nick were as touched by the employees attending as the employees were to be invited. Nick posted this about the concert:
I don’t have much to add. This was a beautiful tribute to the victims and a lovely way to honor those so deeply connected to the tragedy. Speaking of tributes, Demi and Nick performed at the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular last night. On Sunday, Demi and Nick along with Little Big Town were a part of an event that was listed as a rehearsal for the show but turned out to be a free concert for all who attended. During the show, Demi performed Purple Rain in tribute to Prince.
Demi Lovato cantando "Purple Rain" hoje no “Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular” em Boston #DemiLovato #KCAMexico pic.twitter.com/ymVKc2LKwt
— Demi Lovato Brasil (@DLPensadora) July 4, 2016
Photo credit: WENN and FameFlynet Photos, Getty Images, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
What a lovely and touching gesture.
It makes up for how bad they both were at the Pops concert last night. Also, the Pops do a “full rehearsal” every year on July 3, of the complete show to be performed on the 4th. Just fewer cannons and fireworks, although there are usually a few fireworks, and a lot less people.
Very loving tribute. Good for them.
Lovely gesture. I hope it brought some comfort and healing.
Now that Congress is back in business, let’s see if love motivates its members to pass the kinds of laws that can help prevent this kind of violence and truly keep the peace.
What a beautiful tribute.
I love Demi and Nick’s friendship, they seem to think alike and love touring together.
Did they already date? Because I think they would actually make a very good pair. They do seem to think alike and enjoy being together. That, to me, is the very definition of a solid relationship.
She actually dated his brother but she’s always been close to the Jonas family. Nick and Demi actually just started a label together as well.
This was a lovely tribute kudos to them
I want to add a comment so we have more then 6! I like coverage of these two so I am honking for more. Great tribute and glad to see it.
I’m just dropping in to add mine to the number of comments and to say, like others before me, that I like that Demi and Nick did this tribute.