Paris Attacks: Celebrities Worldwide React on Social Media

6:43 AM PST 11/15/2015 by Rhonda Richford , Scott Roxborough

Shootings Near the Bataclan In Paris - H 2015
David Wolff-Patrick/Getty Images

Lea Seydoux, Chris Rock, Omar Sy, Madonna, Piers Morgan, U2, Delhi-based blogger Karuna Ezara Parikh and German and French soccer stars are among those who took to Twitter and Instagram.

Celebrities from every corner of the globe reacted on social media to the terror attacks in Paris over the weekend. 

Musicians were among the most vocal in their condemnation of the terrorists behind the Paris attacks and in their call for solidarity after gunmen opened fire at the Bataclan concert venue where U.S. rock band Eagles of Death Metal were performing.

U2 and the Foo Fighters, both of whom have canceled upcoming concerts in Europe following the attacks, quickly took to Twitter to express their sadness and outrage. 

U2 later made a personal appearance at the Bataclan theater, laying flowers for the victims.

Madonna reacted in person and online. She briefly halted a concert in Stockholm, Sweden, to share her feelings about the Paris attacks. Between songs, the American pop star said she wanted to “take this moment to acknowledge the tragedy. The tragic killings, assassinations and the senseless ending of precious life that occurred last night in Paris ... And it's been really hard to get through the show, because in many ways I feel torn. Like, why I am up here dancing and having fun when people are crying over the loss of their loved ones?"

As she finished speaking, she called on the audience to have a moment’s silence — before beginning an acoustic version of her hit song Like A Prayer. Online, Madonna also tweeted: “We Are All Immigrants!! We all bleed the same color...”

After a concert in L.A. to celebrate his new album release, Justin Bieber tweeted: "Had a great first show but just heard about what happened in Paris. Thoughts and prayers with everyone."

Johnny Hallyday, a French legend often called the country's answer to Elvis, decided the show must go on following the attacks and performed Saturday night in Strasbourg, near the German border in northern France. He dedicated his show to “all those who died in Paris and their families and loved ones,” before honoring a minute of silence along with the 17,000 in the audience

Singer Jenifer, of The Voice France fame, showed support for the employees of UMG’s Mercury France label who were killed at the Bataclan theater. “My label #MercuryFrance lost two of its employees who were working last night at the Bataclan. Their pain is mine,” her social media post said.

Labelmate Louane Emera, who won a Cesar acting award earlier this year for her role in The Belier Family, also sent condolences for the Mercury employees. “Wholeheartedly with Mercury France and its team that I love so who have been so terribly affected," she wrote. The singer wrote that she found out about the tragedy following a show in Lille. She subsequently canceled her Saturday concert in Rouen and Sunday concert in Brussels.

Jurassic World star Omar Sy wrote simply: “No words except #Peace #Unity #Love & all my thoughts for the victims and their families.”

Lea Seydoux, who had been tweeting vigorously during the worldwide press tour for Spectre, tweeted simply: “Hope everyone is safe in Paris” followed by a heart, before going silent on the social network.

French-American pop star Mika posted with raw emotion: “What profound sadness. I am crazy with rage.”

Athletes were also among the VIPs taking to Twitter and Instagram following the attacks. German soccer goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had been in the Paris stadium Friday night when one of the first terrorist bombs exploded outside, posted a selfie, without commentary, of himself in front a television showing news coverage of the attacks. It was liked more than 75,000 times.

A tweet by French striker Karem Benzema saying his thoughts were with “the victims and their families” was retweeted more than 3,000 times.

British media personality Piers Morgan was among the most active industry members on social media following the attack, posting a running commentary, including a response to U.S. pro-gun advocates who blamed the slaughter on France's strict gun laws.

There were numerous comments and expressions of sympathy from the U.S., with comedian Chris Rock among those asking people to pray for Paris, the slogan that has become a rallying call following Friday's horrors.

In New York, SNL cast member Cecily Strong opened Saturday Night Live with a call for solidarity with France, speaking first in English, then in French. The SNL tweet with the link drew thousands of likes and retweets.

Delhi-based blogger Karuna Ezara Parikh posted a poem she wrote following the attacks, which quickly went viral and was shared tens of thousands of times on social media.

In part, it read: “It is not Paris we should pray for. It is the world...a world that is falling apart in all corners and not simply in the towers and cafes we find so familiar.”