The Demi Lovato–Frozen Yogurt Shop Controversy, Fully Explained

Frozen yogurt and Demi Lovato are at the center of the internet’s latest controversy. It all started after Lovato called out a Los Angeles fro-yo shop, The Bigg Chill, for its alleged pro-diet culture marketing. The singer has been open about the fact that she struggles with an eating disorder and took offense to some of the fro-yo shop’s product language.

But Lovato was hit with backlash and eventually posted an Instagram Live video explaining her decision to speak out. Here’s the situation, fully explained:

What did Demi Lovato initially say about the fro-yo shop?

In mid-April, Lovato posted to Instagram Stories about an experience she had at The Bigg Chill. “Finding it extremely hard to order fro-yo from @TheBiggChillOfficial when you have to walk past tons of sugar free cookies/other diet foods before you get to the counter. Do better please,” she wrote on IG. She also included the hashtag #dietculturevultures.

How did The Bigg Chill respond?

The frozen yogurt shop wrote on their Instagram account, “We carry items for Diabetics, Celiac disease, Vegan, and of course have many indulgent items as well.”

Lovato then revealed private messages she had with the shop. “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,” they wrote to Lovato in a private DM.

She replied, “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,” she wrote. “You can find a way to provide an inviting environment for all people with different needs. Including eating disorders. Don’t make excuses, just do better.”

Lovato also shared an image from The Bigg Chill’s Instagram account, showing the phrase “Eat Me Guilt Free.”

“This screams diet culture and I won’t be gaslit by the media or anyone else that says otherwise,” the “Skyscraper” singer added. “I don’t need to feel guilt-free about eating anything. This was what I was talking about and this is directly from their own page.”

Did she receive backlash?

Yes, some didn’t agree with Lovato’s decision to put the shop on blast. Real Housewives of New York City star Leah McSweeney said on Instagram Stories, “Demi Lovato should be ashamed of herself for using her platform of 102 million people following her on Instagram to drag a frozen yogurt spot because she’s mad that they sell diet frozen yogurt and sugar-free options because that triggers her.”

She continued, “Therefore, they should just be harassed and go out of business. What the fuck? The ultimate privilege is to just use your platform with millions and millions of people to drag a fucking business with 6,000 followers on Instagram who have been doing their thing since the ’80s.”

“Demi Lovato vs FROYO is one of the most cringeworthy moments on the internet right now,” one person tweeted.

Another added, “demi lovato was understandably triggered in that fro-yo shop & lashed out; that’s life. the real world is full of triggers & it’s on us as individuals to ultimately figure out how to navigate it. but calling on millions of fans to be triggered with her vs a froyo shop is not it.”

A few believe Lovato’s criticisms ignored the needs of people with diabetes and other health issues who might only be able to eat sugar-free desserts.

How did she respond?

The “Confident” singer shared a video on Instagram apologizing for the way she handled her comments toward the fro-yo shop. “It’s also important to know that my intentions were not to come in and bully a small business, but I walked in and walked out because I was so triggered,” she said on the Instagram Live. “It made me really sad. I’m genuinely sorry people took it wrong, but I just get really passionate.”

She continued, “Y’all know me, I get pretty feisty and sometimes my emotions get the best of me. It never comes from a place of hate, it’s always coming from a place of love.”

Originally Appeared on Glamour