Ariana Grande may have said some things about the U.S. during the recent Donutgate debacle she wishes she hadn't, but now the songstress is sticking up for her homeland.

During her first concert back in the states on Thursday, since finishing up the European leg of her Honeymoon tour, Grande took a moment to tell her fans at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., what she really thought about America.

"I'm so grateful to be here in Tampa! And I'm so, so grateful to be here performing in the USA, the greatest country in the world!" the singer said.

The singer received backlash from U.S patriots about her "I hate America" comments in a videotaped inside a doughnut shop. Grande apologized twice about the incident, syaing she is "extremely proud to be an American" and is "sorry for not using more discretion" with her "choice of words."

Grande thanked her Tampa audience on social media, writing, "1st show back. my heart is full."