Selena Gomez Pays Tribute To Christina Grimmie During Miami Concert: Watch

Selena Gomez fought back tears as she paid tribute to Christina Grimmie, the 22-year-old Voice finalist who was shot dead on June 10. Selena was performing in Miami, though she admitted that she almost wasn’t up for it.

“One thing about Christina … is that she holds her faith so closely to her,” she said. “I think it’s not about religion, and it’s not about good deeds. I think she just had faith, and I don’t really understand how this really happened.” She then sang two songs, Hillsong Worship‘s “Transfiguration” and Revival‘s “Nobody,” dedicated to Christina. Toward the end, though, she couldn’t finish, mouthing “sorry” to the crowd.

Selena also reportedly canceled her meet-and-greet event that night, in light of Christina’s death.

Before Christina competed during The Voice’s sixth season, Selena’s stepfather became her manager. Brian Teefey had discovered Christina on YouTube, singing pop covers at the piano. “So then my brother texted me in the middle of school, like, ‘I really think Selena Gomez’s stepdad is trying to get a hold of you.’ I didn’t believe it; I had heard too many stories,” she told Seventeen in 2011.

Christina went on to open for Selena twice, including for her 2013 Stars Dance tour.

Watch Selena Gomez’s emotional tribute to Christina Grimmie below.

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