Demi Lovato calls out LA frozen yogurt shop for selling sugar-free options
Demi Lovato needed to take a big chill pill.
The “Dancing With the Devil” singer blasted Los Angeles-based frozen yogurt shop The Bigg Chill for carrying sugar-free varieties, saying it was “triggering” for her as a woman recovering from an eating disorder.
“Finding it extremely hard to order froyo from @thebiggchillofficial when you have to walk past tons of sugar free cookies/other diet foods before you get to the counter,” she wrote on her Instagram Story. “Do better please.”
She also added the hashtag “#dietculturevultures.”
The Bigg Chill wasn’t sweet on the critique and later defended itself on the shop’s Instagram Story — and tagged the star — writing, “We carry items for Diabetics, Celiac disease, Vegan and of course have many indulgent items as well.”
The “Sorry Not Sorry” singer, who has been candid about her battle with bulimia, also shared her direct messages with The Bigg Chill on her Story. “We are not diet vultures,” The Bigg Chill wrote to her. “We cater to all of our customers needs for the past 36 years. We are sorry you found this offensive.”
Unwilling to relent in her criticism, Lovato said her experience there was “triggering and awful.”
“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,” Lovato continued.
"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 opios [sic] overdoses,” Lovato added, alluding to her 2018 drug overdose. “Don’t make excuses, just do better.”
Seemingly unable to handle that the Bigg Chill iced her out, Lovato continued messaging the small business with “more beneficial” marketing ideas.
“I was thinking, maybe it would help if you made it more clear that the sugar free options and vegan options are for that,” Lovato suggested. “Labeling the snacks for celiac diabetes or vegans. When it’s not super clear, the messaging gets confusing and being in LA it’s really hard to distinguish diet culture vs. health needs.
“I think more clearer messaging would be more beneficial for everyone,” she added.
Lovato’s final message credited The Bigg Chill for “catering to many different needs” but added it’s not about “excluding one demographic to cater to others.”
The Bigg Chill once again chose not to engage with Lovato’s messages.