Pop star Ariana Grande issued a statement of apology Wednesday after she was caught on video saying she “hates Americans” and “hates America” while licking donuts she hadn’t purchased.
In a video first obtained by TMZ, Grande is seen in a donut shop with her boyfriend on July 4. Grande and her boyfriend appear to lick donuts that had been placed on the counter, that were then ostensibly purchased by other customers.
“What the f*ck is that?” Grande says loudly to her boyfriend as a fresh tray of donuts is placed on the counter. “I hate Americans. I hate America.”
In a statement, Grande said her words were “taken out of context” and apologized for “not using more discretion with my choice of words.”
“I am EXTREMELY proud to be an American and I’ve always made it clear that I love my country,” Grande said. “As an advocate for healthy eating, food is very important to me and I sometimes get upset by how freely we as Americans eat and consume things without giving any thought to the consequences that it has on our health and society as a whole.”
The video may have already cost Grande a headlining slot at the MLB All-Star Game concert this weekend, although Grande said in her statement that she cancelled because of “emergency oral surgery.” Whatever the reason, Demi Lovato has officially been selected to replace Grande at this weekend’s concert.
Check out Grande’s full statement below:
I am EXTREMELY proud to be an American and I’ve always made it clear that I love my country. What I said in a private moment with my friend, who was buying the donuts, was taken out of context and I am sorry for not using more discretion with my choice of words. As an advocate for healthy eating, food is very important to me and I sometimes get upset by how freely we as Americans eat and consume things without giving any thought to the consequences that it has on our health and society as a whole. The fact that the United States has the highest child obesity rate in the world frustrates me. We need to do more to educate ourselves and our children about the dangers of overeating and the poison that we put into our bodies. We need to demand more from our food industry. However I should have known better in how I expressed myself; and with my new responsibility to others as a public figure I will strive to be better. As for why I cannot be at the MLB show, I have had emergency oral surgery and due to recovery I cannot attend the show. I hope to make it up to all those fans soon. That being said let me once again apologize if I have offended anyone with my poor choice of words.
-Ariana Grande