- On Tuesday, Starbucks unveiled a new drink inspired by and in collaboration with Ariana Grande.
- One disgruntled Twitter mocked Grande, accusing her of exploiting feminism to make money.
- “ariana grande selling a custom starbucks drink on international women’s day is like. you cannot write better parody of woke capitalism than the actual thing,” the tweet reads.
- “women’s day the 8th,” Grande replied.
On Tuesday, Starbucks unveiled a new menu item, inspired and promoted by Ariana Grande – but not everyone is on board with the collaboration.
Rachel Millman, a podcast host, mocked Grande and accused her of exploiting feminism to make money.
“ariana grande selling a custom starbucks drink on international women’s day is like. you cannot write better parody of woke capitalism than the actual thing,” she wrote. “happy international women’s day from ariana grande and starbucks. you’re doing feminism with the coffee.”
ariana grande selling a custom starbucks drink on international women's day is like. you cannot write better parody of woke capitalism than the actual thing. you can't do it. happy international women's day from ariana grande and starbucks. you're doing feminism with the coffee
— rachel (@rachelmillman) March 5, 2019
The tweet has gained some traction and racked up almost 20,000 likes.
Even Grande herself saw it - and she took the opportunity to succinctly shut down Millman's claim, pointing out that International Women's Day isn't until Friday, March 8.
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1102934133687361536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
When one fan jokingly expressed sympathy that Grande "had to see this tweet," she replied, "me too. back to work!"
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1102934441847148544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
It's not clear whether Millman saw Grande's response, but she doubled down on her assessment in subsequent tweets.
Gloria Steinem infiltrated the playboy mansion and became Christian Bale’s stepmom so you could buy the FUCJING COFFEE. we’re breaking the glass coffee pot mother fucker
— rachel (@rachelmillman) March 5, 2019
Millman directed one critic of her original tweet to a Business Insider article, which notes that Starbucks plans to debut a playlist featuring Grande's songs and some of her favorite music on Saturday, as well as a playlist for International Women's Day on Friday.
Millman denied that she is "targeting" Grande, but rather critiquing her "corporate" and "commodified feminism."
https://twitter.com/SanahBanana/status/1102871031864266753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
you’re 12 go to bed
— rachel (@rachelmillman) March 5, 2019
nothing in what I wrote was targeting her. it’s corporate feminism, plain and simple. nothing about it is telling you you can’t like her, but you’re upset at the idea that there could be an existing critique of her
— rachel (@rachelmillman) March 5, 2019
It's not clear whether Starbucks' collaboration with Grande is meant to be explicitly linked to International Women's Day. Representatives for the company didn't return INSIDER's request for comment.
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1102932362860597248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The new beverage, called the Cloud Macchiato, comes in caramel and cinnamon flavors.
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1102937270498279425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Starbucks described the Cloud Macchiato as "an airy microfoam frothed cold and blended until smooth, creating layers of creamy texture and flavor, without the cream."
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1102932519060684800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Any fan of Grande knows that clouds are an essential part of her aesthetic; she has a perfume called "Cloud" and even has a cloud tattoo on one of her fingers.