I have to be one of the few people who thinks the Ariana Grande Donut-gate fiasco was not that serious.
Just a recap, a donut-shop security video of Ariana Grande licking a counter of donuts before loudly proclaiming “I hate America” went viral on Tuesday, July 7. On the following day, she issued an apology statement on Wednesday (in which she said her comments were about the country’s nutrition habits) and then posted a YouTube apology video on Thursday night.
Yes, it was gross, but a 21 year-old licking a donut just doesn’t make my list of horrific events. And by the way a second apology was just overkill. So I found it interesting to hear some publicists weigh in on the seriousness of the situation.
In all honesty, if your PR team can’t make a donut lick go away you need to fire them.
By the time she releases new music, this should all go away… right? Furthermore, now would be an awesome time for this the ponytail to go away … forever!!!
Here’s an excerpt of thoughts:
Was the second apology necessary?
Howard Bragman, Fifteen Minutes PR chairman and founder: The second apology was a direct result of her first apology being so pathetic. I always tell people it should be about 100% responsibility, not a long, rambling, equivocating apology.
Jim Bates, Sitrick & Co. senior executive: As a rule, one apology is enough. You just need one that hits the right notes and the right messages. Think about what you want to convey to people and move on.
What was worse: the donut-licking or the comments about America?
Bates: People are so sensitive about patriotism. We’re in a political season now, and people are much more likely to jump on something like that. [At least] she is American. If she’d been a foreigner, it would have been much more damaging.
Bragman: The whole thing was skeezy. Some people were offended by the America comments, some by the donut-licking, some by the fat-shaming. It was sort of the definition of icky.
Read more HERE
Leave a Reply