Oh, Demi Lovato, girl. What is going on with you?!
Demi recently took to Instagram Stories where she decided to attack LA frozen yogurt store The Bigg Chill over their sugar-free offerings. She wrote,
“Finding it extremely hard to order froyo from The Bigg Chill when you have to walk past tons of sugar-free cookies/other diet foods before you get to the counter. Do better please.”
It’s completely understandable that, as an eating disorder survivor, Demi might be triggered by some of the topping options. But it’s not The Bigg Chill’s fault that they want to cater to a large clientele.
As they told Demi, they merely want to offer options to diabetics, vegans, and those with celiac disease. They added in a separate DM to the singer,
“We are not diet vultures. We cater to all of our customers’ needs for the past 36 years. We are sorry you found this offensive.”
But Demi refused to back down. She replied and told them,
“You can carry things for other people while also caring for another percentage of your customers who struggle DAILY just to even step 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 only second to opioid overdoses. Don’t make excuses, just do better.”
She eventually softened her position and suggested that the store make it more clear that the dietary options are for those with specific illnesses and include “clear messaging.” But in the end, she still stood her ground. She wrote,
“You aren’t wrong for catering to many different needs but it’s about not excluding one demographic to cater to others.”
There are many reasons why someone might choose sugar-free froyo and The Bigg Chill isn’t doing anything wrong.
Demi has always been an eating disorder recovery advocate and certainly has every right to feel how she does. But she doesn’t have the right to take it out on a small, independently-owned restaurant that is merely trying to do business and survive the pandemic.
Several hours later, after a huge public backlash, Demi finally issued an apology and said in a video on Instagram Stories,
“I definitely jumped to conclusions and probably shouldn’t have gone about this the way that I have. I’m willing to talk to this froyo shop to help get this messaging right … I’m human and I talk about my struggles. I’m passionate, so I’m sorry that I got the messaging wrong. I’m sorry that I may have disappointed some people.”
She added,
“I am very outspoken about the things that I believe in. I understand that sometimes my messaging can lose its meaning when I get emotional. I am somebody who is just very passionate about what I believe in and I’ve lived through enough to know when to speak up for people who don’t have a voice.”
According to The Bigg Chill’s website, they offer sugar-free, fat-free, low fat, and dairy-free options at their store. This gives people with a variety of dietary needs a chance to enjoy a little treat.
The Bigg Chill currently offers take-out and delivery via Postmates. You can check out their flavors here.
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