The “Donut Gate” controversy from 2015 remains one of the more memorable moments in Ariana Grande’s career, sparking intense public backlash and forcing the singer to address her actions. The incident occurred at Wolfee Donuts in Los Angeles on July 4, 2015, when CCTV footage showed Grande licking doughnuts on the counter and making controversial remarks about America. In the video, she can be heard saying, “I hate Americans. I hate America,” which quickly sparked outrage, particularly when the footage was leaked by TMZ.
Grande was quick to respond to the backlash with a public apology, explaining that her comments were taken out of context. She expressed regret for her lack of discretion in that private moment and emphasized her pride in being an American. In a statement, she clarified, “I am EXTREMELY proud to be an American and I’ve always made it clear that I love my country,” and said her frustration was aimed at the “reckless consumption of food” she observed in the U.S. rather than a critique of the country itself.
In addition to the public apology, Grande appeared on Good Morning America, where she further explained that her comments were made out of frustration with how Americans consume food without thinking about the consequences. She expressed disappointment with the idea that her private moment of frustration had been misconstrued as an attack on the entire nation.
The situation escalated when Grande took to YouTube to apologize again, this time for the way she initially handled the apology, as her first attempt didn’t resonate well with some fans and social media users. The second apology garnered even more attention, racking up millions of views on YouTube, solidifying the incident as one of the more talked-about pop culture moments at the time.
While the “Donut Gate” controversy faded over time, it remains a notable example of how quickly a moment of poor judgment can go viral in the age of social media, and it highlighted the challenges public figures face when dealing with media scrutiny. Despite this, Grande’s career has continued to thrive, and the incident is now seen as a part of her broader journey in the spotlight.