Ariana Grande unfollows Starbucks on Instagram and promotes two local coffee shops after the chain banned employees from wearing BLM clothing
Ariana Grande took a stand against Starbucks this week after it banned its employees from wearing Black Lives Matter clothing while working.
And while the coffee chain has now revered its decision, it seems it’s too little too late, as of Tuesday, the singer – who has made no secret of her love for Starbucks drinks – has unfollowed the coffee brand on Instagram.
She also promoted a different coffee chain on Monday, sharing a photo of an iced beverage from Nimbus Coffee in Los Angeles.
No longer a fan: Ariana Grande unfollowed Starbucks this week after controversy surrounding their banning of staff from wearing Black Lives Matter clothing and accessories
‘mmmmmmmm @nimbus_coffee_la ⚡’ she wrote in the caption.
A day later she shared a snap of another iced coffee which was from a local independent coffee shop Undergrind Cafe.
The move is notable for Ariana as back in March 2019 she was a ‘Starbucks ambassador,’ and promoted the Cloud Macchiato drink while wearing a green Starbucks apron on social media.
The brand replied to her post with a play on her 7 Rings song, writing ‘You want it, we got it. You want it, we got it. You like our cloud? Gee thanks, just made it. #CloudMacchiato.’
Bye Starbucks: Instead, the singer promoted two local coffee chains on Monday and Tuesday this week
Ariana, 26, has been a big fan of Starbucks and helped promote their Cloud Macchiato drink last year
Earlier this month Starbucks told its staff in a company memo, published last week by BuzzFeed News, that they were prohibited from wearing any clothing or accessories that promoted the Black Lives Matter movement as it could be ‘misunderstood and potentially incite violence.’
As soon as the move became public knowledge there was immediate backlash against the coffee chain with users on Twitter threatening to boycott the company.
Two days later Starbucks reversed their decision, announcing that employees will be allowed to wear clothing or accessories in support of the cause.
‘We see you. We hear you. Black Lives Matter. That is a fact and will never change,’ Starbucks said in a statement on Friday. ‘Wear your BLM pin or t-shirt. We are so proud of your passionate support of our common humanity.’
Too little too late: Starbucks reversed their decision to ban staff from wearing BLM accessories two days after the memo went round banning it
Listening: The coffee chain have produced their own BLM T-shirt that staff can wear
Taking things a step further, the company announced it will be creating its very own BLM T-shirt for employees to wear.
Starbucks plans on producing around 250,000 of the shirts to be available to all employees in North America. The T-shirt will also be available to purchase for $19.99.
Ariana has been vocal amid the BLM movement and peacefully protested with boyfriend Dalton Gomez in Beverly Hills.