Ariana Grande Unfollows Starbucks On Instagram After Employee Ban On Black Lives Matter Clothing

Ariana Grande has unfollowed Starbucks on Instagram. The 26-year-old singer, herself followed by 190 million on the platform, checked the coffee giant off her follow list on Tuesday morning amid controversy over the Seattle-based brand’s decision – now reversed – to ban employees from wearing Black Lives Matter clothing. Ariana, who fronted Starbucks’ 2019 Cloud Macchiato promo, also took to her stories to promote two smaller chains – “thank u, next” very much seemed to be the vibe from the princess of bubblegum pop.

Ariana’s stories showed her shouting out wizard-themed L.A. coffee outlet Nimbus Coffee with an iced beverage as she wrote: “mmmmmmmm @nimbus_coffee_la ⚡.” She then posted another shout-out to Undergrind Cafe.

Starbucks fronted media outlets less than a week ago for its controversial decision to ban employees from wearing any clothing supporting Black Lives Matter. Per a bulletin circulated by the brand, its staff were “not permitted to wear buttons or pins that advocate a political, religious or personal issue.” A social media storm erupting as a result of the decision then saw Starbucks swiftly backtrack on its policy with a June 12-issued tweet.

“Black Lives Matter. We continue to listen to our partners and communities and their desire to stand for justice together. The Starbucks Black Partner Network co-designed t-shirts with this graphic that will soon be sent to 250,000+ store partners.”

The brand behind the Frappuccino then issued a separate statement as it said:  “These are alarming, uncertain times, and people everywhere are hurting. You’ve told us you need to express yourself at work, asking: ‘Do you understand how I feel? Do you understand the black community is in pain?’” It added: “We see you. We hear you. Black lives matter. That is a fact and will never change.” 

Ariana has made no other statement, although the star who once filled her Instagram with an obligatory Starbucks cup seems to have more than made her point – merely by her unfollow. Ariana’s last name rings true to the brand’s medium “Grande”-sized drink, something that she jokingly ordered on camera in 2019 as she enjoyed a piggy-back ride through a Los Angeles Starbucks outlet with British “Carpool Karaoke” host James Corden. The starlet later appeared in a much more official way as she posed with a dog and in a green Starbucks apron with her dog to promote the Cloud Macchiato. Grande has a cloud tattoo. She has also personally stated in interviews that she dreams of clouds.

Starbucks’ reversed Black Lives Matter policy now sees its employees permitted to “wear Black Lives Matter t-shirts, pins, and name tags.”