Jess Glynne has backtracked on claims she was ‘discriminated against’ when she was turned away from Sexy Fish restaurant on Monday night.
On Tuesday, the The Hold My Hand singer, 30, faced widespread criticism when she made the claims of discrimination after being refused entry for wearing sportswear to swanky Asian restaurant, where steaks cost up to £105, in Mayfair.
Taking to Instagram, Jess shared a video in which she was backtracking for her use of the ‘wrong word’ yet defiantly maintained that the staff were rude and insisted she was merely aiming to help the establishment ‘better itself’.
Response: Jess Glynne has backtracked on claims she was ‘discriminated against’ when she was turned away from Sexy Fish restaurant on Monday night
After her initial post, in which Jess shared a selfie in her outfit, critics swiftly branded her ‘privileged and entitled’ for her chagrin.
Fans pointed out that Sexy Fish clearly lists on its website: ‘We request that guests do not wear sportswear, beachwear. ripped jeans, flip flops, sliders or workout trainers (smarter, fashion trainers may be permitted)’.
In her video, Jess said: ‘I feel I need to come on here and pull up on what I posted yesterday, I used the wrong word, discrimination, it wasn’t the right word, it was wrong but I wanna highlight the reason I posted what I did…
‘Basically all I wanted to say is it was very rude and disrespectful the way the Sexy Fish staff were towards me and my friend yesterday and I don’t believe anybody should be spoken to like that and that’s what I wanted to highlight…
Discrimination: On Tuesday, the The Hold My Hand singer, 30, faced widespread criticism when she made the claims of discrimination after being refused entry for wearing sportswear
Lashing out: Taking to Instagram, Jess shared a video in which she was backtracking on her use of the ‘wrong word’ yet defiantly maintained that the staff were rude and insisted she was merely aiming to help the establishment ‘better itself’
‘I’m so understanding of dress code and etiquette and I 100% understand – listen I have been turned away from numerous places in my life, that’s not a thing, that doesn’t bother me…
‘What I was trying to highlight was for them so they can better themselves, there’s ways of dealing with human beings and being respectful and having manners. Anyway let me know when it’s safe to come back out.’
She added a caption on the clip reading: ‘Hi… Just want you guys to understand that I posted a picture of my attire as I was very aware of what I was wearing and it wasn’t about the dress code…
Clear: Fans pointed out that Sexy Fish clearly lists on its website: ‘We request that guests do not wear sportswear, beachwear. ripped jeans, flip flops, sliders or workout trainers (smarter, fashion trainers may be permitted)’
Not right: In her video, Jess said: ‘I feel I need to come on here and pull up on what I posted yesterday, I used the wrong word, discrimination, it wasn’t the right word, it was wrong but I wanna highlight the reason I posted what I did’
HA! She shared a humorous clip from hit Instagram page Hunsnet, which was mocking her for looking like she had ‘done a smash and grab in Sports Direct’ and was expecting entry
‘I was out on a Monday afternoon and just passed by the restaurant and was blown back by the rudeness of the staff. Once again I used the wrong word for my explanation and I recognise that. Mistake.’
Jess then shared both support and criticism from fans, and a humorous clip from hit Instagram page Hunsnet, which was mocking her for looking like she had ‘done a smash and grab in Sports Direct’ and was expecting entry.
Twitter was flooded with comments from users claiming Jess clearly believed herself to be ‘above’ the dress code, while others defended the songstress after she claimed staff were ‘rude and off-putting’ in their approach to the issue.
Empty: ‘Dear @SexyFishLondon, I turned up to your restaurant looking like this and you looked me and my friend up and down and said no you can’t come in and your restaurant was EMPTY,’ Glynne wrote (pictured in September)
Jess was clearly disgruntled by the turn of the events as she shared the selfie from the toilets of Amazonico London, which also has a ban on sportswear in its clearly listed dress code, where she dined after the incident.
In her lengthy post, Jess penned: ‘Dear @SexyFishLondon, I turned up to your restaurant looking like this and you looked me and my friend up and down and said no you can’t come in and your restaurant was EMPTY…
‘I then went to @amazonicolondon who greeted me and my friend with pure joy and we had a banging meal with wicked service’.
Fuming: She then dined at Amazonico London, which also has a ban on sportswear in its clearly listed dress code
She then called upon the restaurant to, ‘please check yourself if this is how you treat people cause it’s rude, off putting, embarrassing and most definitely not inviting.’
‘We were made to wait and 2 members of staff came to look at us and make a decision based on our appearance. I think the attitude of your staff needs to change as that was pure discrimination. Thanks and bye’.
She also shared the same photo on her Instagram story, stating, ‘Y’all are rude @sexyfishlondon.’
Fuming: Twitter users lashed out at Jess for her alleged privilege
Twitter was soon flooded with reaction, with critics writing: ‘It’s sad that you couldn’t see that you wearing casual sportswear is against their policy. It’s even sadder that you think this is discrimination….based on what Confused face…
‘Someone needs to tell jess glynne that… being turned away from a restaurant cos you’re wearing a hoody is not discrimination…
‘Policy is policy. Why is it any different for you?… Jess Glynne and chum rocking up to SexyFish and wondering why they can’t get a table… They have a dress code, you didn’t meet it. Get over yourself…
Protective: Dedicated fans insisted the incident was not a problem
‘It’s not shocking it has a dress code! It’s actually fantastic that she wasn’t treated differently!… Ahhh…entitlement….I have lots of money so I can do what I want…
‘If anyone asks what privilege is, I’m just going to point them to Jess Glynne complaining she’s been discriminated against because she can’t wear a hoodie while eating £300 sushi in Mayfair’.
Other fans however were feeling defensive over the star, as they penned: ‘Why tf y’all being so rude… If there’s something u wanna tell her u can tell it in a polite way…
‘Sorry this happened to you – it’s not nice to be turned away. But it’s not discrimination, it’s the opposite- they apply the same rules to all, regardless of who you are…. appreciation tweet. Love her sm…no matter what happens!’
Sexy Fish has not publicly commented on why Glynne was turned away at this time.
After the backlash erupted, Jess responded to a number of messages from her famous friends and insisted all she wanted was for the staff ‘to be polite’.
Rude: She also shared the same photo on her Instagram story, stating, ‘Y’all are rude @sexyfishlondon’
Glynne was signed by Atlantic Records at just 24 years of age in 2013, and she burst onto the scene after rewriting and providing vocals for Route 94’s My Love, which topped the U.K. singles charts and was certified platinum.
She also collaborated on Rather Be with another U.K. group, Clean Bandit, with that single topping the charts as well.
Glynne released her first album I Cry When I Laugh in 2015, which debuted at #1 on the U.K. album charts.
Her second album, 2018’s Always In Between, also debuted at #1 on the album charts, with her single I’ll Be There topping #1 on the singles charts, making her the first British singer with seven #1 hit singles.
Breakout: Glynne was signed by Atlantic Records at just 24 years of age in 2013, and she burst onto the scene after rewriting and providing vocals for Route 94’s My Love, which topped the U.K. singles charts and was certified platinum