Demi Lovato apologized on Monday for a fight with a beloved Los Angeles frozen yogurt shop that landed her in hot water.
Over the weekend, artist “Dancing With the Devil” slammed Bigg Chill for promoting sugar-free cookies and “other diet foods,” according to screenshots of Lovato’s Instagram stories. The Bigg Chill, located on Olympic Boulevard in western LA, says it carries the products that fit the different dietary restrictions and needs of customers.
‘I find it very difficult to order froyo at @thebiggchillofficial if you have to walk past tons of sugar-free cookies / other diet foods before you get to the counter. Please do it better, ”wrote Lovato, who boasts more than 102 million followers on the platform and spoke out about her battle with eating disorders.
‘I’ll call [out] harmful messages from trademarks or [companies] which perpetuates a society that not only enables disorderly eating but also price. #dietculturecultures. ”
The Bigg Chill responded on Sunday on its own Instagram page, which has nearly 12,000 followers (an increase of 6,000 before Lovato’s message), 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 over her story, the store rejected the label “diet vultures” and apologized for insulting the singer. Lovato continued to defraud the company, which started in 1986, for a ‘terrible’ service and rejected the ‘excuses’.
“The whole experience was moving and awful,” she wrote.
‘You can carry things for other people, while also taking care of a percentage of your customers who struggle EVERY day to 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 the second one [opioid] overdoses. ”
TMZ reports that Lovato apparently wrote in another direct message to the store: ‘You do not want to waste me. You are sitting wrong and the customer is always right. ”
In a statement to the Huffington Post, Bigg Chill reiterated his commitment to serving different dietary communities, saying it was “really hurt by Demi’s comments.”
“For the past 36 years, our small women’s industry has been busy with everyone who came through the door,” the company said. “Whether they’s diabetic, vegan, gluten – free or just want a decadent dessert – we’ve always tried to have something for everyone.”
The setback of Lovato’s online campaign was rapid, with Bigg Chill fans commenting on an Instagram post on April 8 to give their support. The store also shared encouraging posts on its own Instagram stories.
“We love you, despite @ddlovato’s blatant ignorance about diet options,” one user wrote. Another said, ‘I do not even live in LA, but would like to show my support! I love Demi, but I do not agree with this. ”
‘I apologize on behalf of Demi. I know you have different options for people who have diabetes and other health issues. Keep doing it, ”someone else said. (These remarks were tame compared to Leah McSweeney’s stars 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 described some of his cookies and cake offerings as ‘guilt-free’. (“I do not have to have any feelings of guilt about eating something,” the Grammy nominee argued.)
The former Disney Channel star later suggested in the follow-up messages that the Big Chill should be ‘clearer’ about its brand by labeling ‘the snacks for celiac disease or diabetes or vegan’, as it can be confusing and ‘really difficult to diet culture’ distinguish between health needs. ”
“I think clearer messages will be more beneficial to everyone,” she wrote. “You’re not wrong if you cater to different needs, but it’s about not excluding one demographic to cater to others.”
After Lovato was widely criticized, and many accused her of using her platform to pick a local business, she returned in an Instagram video on Monday. She said she “definitely came to the conclusion” when she entered the store and “probably should not have gone” to confront the store as she did.
“I’m sorry I did the wrong thing,” she said on Monday. “My intention was not to hinder a small business. That was not it. I walked in, was so activated that I left without fro-yo, and it really made me sad. That was all it was, and I wanted to talk about it. ”
She also offered to help the Big Chill adjust its product descriptions to be more sensitive to people with eating disorders.
“I really regret that people take it wrong,” she added. “I just get very passionate. You all know me. I’m pretty nasty, and sometimes my emotions get the best of me. ”