The speculation was fueled after she unfollowed Starbucks on Instagram and shared pictures of iced coffee from black-owned coffee shops in Los Angeles.
Starbucks was vocal on social media about their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement after the death of George Floyd. They also donated $1 million to organizations that promote “racial equity and more inclusive and just communities,” in early June, CNBC reported.
However, on June 10, Starbucks revealed in an internal memo that they would not allow their employees to wear any Black Lives Matter garb. The company claimed that it could incite violence, stating “There are agitators who misconstrue the fundamental principles of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement — and in certain circumstances, intentionally repurpose them to amplify divisiveness,” according to CNN. After Buzzfeed initially reported the news, people on social media suggested boycotting the coffee giant.
Days later, Starbucks announced that they designed and ordered shirts for their employees to show their solidarity. Until the shirts arrive, workers were told they could wear their own Black Lives Matter shirts and pins.
“Starbucks stands in solidarity with our black partners, community and customers, and understands the desire to express themselves,” Starbucks said in a statement to Newsweek on June 12. “We continue to listen to our partners (employees) about how they want to take a stand for justice, while proudly wearing the green apron and standing united together.”
Even though employees are now allowed to wear Black Lives Matter garb and the company created their own shirts, Grande seemed to show where she stood in her recent social media updates.
Grande has been connected to the coffee chain for some time. In 2019, she was announced as a Starbucks ambassador and had a drink created in her honor.
The singer is no longer following Starbucks on Instagram. Over the past couple of days, she shared pictures of iced coffee from local, black-owned coffee shops. Grande also posted a list of 100 black-owned businesses to support on her Instagram Story.
Fans took to social media and weighed in on the recent change in coffee venue and praised the singer’s support for Black Lives Matter.
“The way Ariana Grande unfollowed Starbucks and is supporting black owned coffee shops speaks volumes,” one fan Tweeted. “Ariana really said ’thank u next’ to the Starbucks,” another added.
Newsweek did not receive comment from Ariana Grande at the time of publication
