Warning: This post discusses eating disorders.
Over the weekend, Demi Lovato visited The Bigg Chill, an LA frozen yogurt shop. Apparently, the store had "sugar free cookies" and "diet foods" available. According to Just Jared, Demi called these out in her Instagram story. "Do better please. #DietCultureVultures," she wrote.
Then, the 28-year-old decided she would continue calling out marketing that "not only enables but praises disordered eating."
Well, the froyo store responded to her. According to People, The Bigg Chill wrote on their Instagram story, "We carry items for diabetics, Celiac disease, vegan, and of course have many indulgent items as well."
Over on Demi's story, she shared what appeared to be private messages between her and The Bigg Chill. She wrote that "the whole experience was triggering and awful." She also wrote, "Don't make excuses, just do better."
She also shared a picture that appears to be from The Bigg Chill's Instagram — though it's now deleted — where the sign above the treats reads, "Eat me guilt free." Underneath, Demi added, "This screams diet culture, and I won't be gaslit by the media or anyone else that says otherwise."
Demi began receiving backlash online with some people angry that she had called out sugar-free cookies. This Twitter user reminded the singer that diabetics require sugar-free options.
@PageSix I am a diabetic. I need sugar-free options. Sorry it offends you, Demi. Get over it. You aren't the center of the universe.
Later on, Demi returned to her private conversation with The Bigg Chill and offered some suggestions, like "labeling the snacks for Celiac or diabetes or vegans." She confessed that it can be hard to distinguish "diet culture vs. health needs."
After all that, Demi posted an eight-minute video discussing the whole thing. “I’m sorry that I got the messaging wrong. I'm sorry that I may have disappointed some people," she said. "I walked into a situation that didn't sit right with me, my intuition said speak up about this, so I did."
So far, it seems like the internet is torn. Many support the spirit behind Demi's message:
demi’s point was that diet culture is so pervasive that she can’t go to a froyo shop to enjoy a snack without being bombarded with damaging messaging about food.
While others think Demi could have handled the situation better:
@PopCrave she almost destroyed a small business due to her “wrong messaging”... she should’ve thought twice before hitting the post button