Faced with a sharp backlash, Demi Lovato apologized Monday for arguing with a beloved frozen yogurt shop in Los Angeles that landed her in hot water.
Over the weekend, the “Dancing With the Devil” artist turned down the Bigg Chill for promoting sugar-free cookies and “other diet foods,” according to screenshots from Lovato’s Instagram stories. Located on Olympic Boulevard in West LA, The Bigg Chill says it carries the products to suit customers’ various dietary restrictions and needs.
“I find it extremely difficult to order froyo from @thebiggchillofficial when you have to walk past tons of sugar-free cookies / other diet foods before going to the counter. Please do better, ”wrote Lovato, who has over 102 million followers on the platform and speaks out about her struggles with eating disorders.
‘I will call [out] malicious messages from brands or [companies] that perpetuate a society that not only enables but also praises disordered eating. #dietculturevultures. “
On its own Instagram page, which has nearly 12,000 followers (a peak of 6,000 before Lovato’s post), the Bigg Chill responded Sunday by explaining that it offers food products for people with diabetes and celiac disease, as well as options for vegans and ‘many indulgent’ Choices.
In a direct message to Lovato, who later shared screenshots of their private exchange about her story, the store rejected the “diet vulture” label and apologized for insulting the singer. Lovato continued to berate the company, which started in 1986, for ‘terrible’ service and rejected its ‘apologies’.
“The whole experience was exciting and horrible,” she wrote back.
“You can carry things for other people and at the same time provide a different percentage of your customers who are struggling DAILY to even set foot in your store. You can find a way to provide an inviting environment for all people with different needs. Including eating disorders – one of the deadliest mental illnesses that comes second only [opioid] overdoses. “
TMZ reported that in another direct message to the store, Lovato reportedly wrote, “You don’t want to mess with me. You are wrong and the customer is always right. “
In a statement to the Huffington Post, the Bigg Chill reiterated its commitment to serving various nutritional communities, saying it was “really hurt by Demi’s comments.”
“For the past 36 years, our small, woman-owned business has taken care of everyone who comes in,” the company said. “Whether they’re diabetic, vegan, gluten-free or just want a decadent dessert – we’ve always tried to have something for everyone.”
The backlash to Lovato’s online campaign was swift, with fans of the Bigg Chill responding to an April 8 Instagram post to show their support. The store also shared encouraging messages on its own Instagram stories.
“We LOVE you despite @ddlovato’s blatant ignorance of food options,” one user wrote. Another commented: ‘I don’t even live in LA, but I want to show my support! I like Demi, but I disagree with her on this. ”
I apologize on behalf of Demi. I know you have several options for people with diabetes and other health conditions. You keep doing it, ”someone else said. (Those comments were tame compared to the scathing criticism of Leah McSweeney, star of The Real Housewives of New York City.)
In a subsequent Instagram story, Lovato posted a screenshot of an old Instagram post in which the Bigg Chill called some of his cookie and cake offering “ guilt-free. ” (“I don’t have to feel guilty about eating something,” argued the Grammy nominee.)
The former Disney Channel star later suggested in follow-up reports that the Big Chill would be ‘clearer’ about its branding by ‘labeling the snacks for celiac or diabetes or vegan’ as it can be confusing and ‘very difficult to culture a diet. to distinguish ‘versus health needs. ”
“I think clearer messages are more beneficial to everyone,” she wrote. “You are not wrong if you meet many different needs, but the point is that you do not exclude one target group from meeting others.”
After Lovato received widespread criticism, with many accusing her of using her platform to choose a local business, she returned in an Instagram video on Monday. She said she “definitely jumped to conclusions” when she entered the store and “probably shouldn’t have walked around” approaching the store the same way she did.
“I’m sorry I got the message wrong,” she said Monday. ‘I didn’t mean to come in and bully a small business. It wasn’t. I walked in, was so triggered I left without fro-yo, and it really made me sad. That was all, and I wanted to talk about it. “
She also offered to help the Big Chill adapt the product descriptions to be more sensitive to people with eating disorders.
“I’m sincerely sorry that people got it wrong,” she added. ‘I just get really passionate. You all know me. I’m pretty spunky, and sometimes my emotions get the best of me. “