Starbucks India stirred controversy and faced calls for boycotts following the release of a commercial set in India that sparked objections, particularly from the right-wing community. The company drew criticism for its latest promotional campaign, which portrayed parents meeting their transgender daughter at a Starbucks outlet.
In the video, a father initially grapples with accepting his daughter’s transition but eventually embraces it by ordering a drink for her under her new name. Starbucks India shared the video on Twitter with the caption, “Your name defines who you are – whether it’s Arpit or Arpita. At Starbucks, we love and accept you for who you are. Because being yourself means everything to us. #ItStartsWithYourName.”
The advertisement faced significant backlash, with political commentator Rukshan Fernando tweeting, “Starbucks facing backlash in India after adopting a full Bud Light approach. Introducing a mediocre US coffee brand to the market wasn’t bad enough; now they bring their woke corporate culture to the Subcontinent.”
In Starbucks India’s comment section, one user expressed dismay, stating, “It’s deeply concerning to witness the rapid erosion of cultural identity in our era. Certain liberal forces persistently normalize practices that seem to undermine our cherished traditions and values.”
Another user questioned Starbucks India’s marketing approach, commenting, “I’m a huge Starbucks fan and spend thousands of rupees in their coffee shops annually. But I can’t comprehend why @StarbucksIndia would launch a woke campaign under the guise of advertising? Can’t they just promote their coffee and service in India?”
A different comment criticized the promotion of what they deemed “immoral values,” asserting, “What are you promoting @Starbucks… Don’t endorse such cultural shifts… We don’t need any lessons on accepting such immoral values… We are Bharatvasis, and we take pride in our civilization.”
“I don’t understand why brands do this… these ads alienate huge portions of the population. Whatever happened to common-sense advertising? Videos like this alienate more customers than they attract. Literally wasting advertising dollars just to virtue signal,” expressed another disgruntled individual.
Watch the controversial ad here:
America has exported woke culture all around the globe, and Starbucks India just provided yet another example of this phenomenon. Since the end of World War II, the United States has been the global hegemon of liberalism, and many other nations have sought to mimic its cuIture.
“Looks Harsh,” Demi Moore Wears a Dress Made of Wallpaper to Met Gala and Creates a Stir
Demi Moore made a striking appearance after a 5-year hiatus at the 2024 Met Gala. The 61-year-old star graced the event in a stunning gown made of wallpaper that took over 11,000 hours to get ready! Additionally, Demi wore 10 carats of never-seen-before jewelry.
Moore chose a black dress adorned with a pink and white floral pattern and an eye-catching spiked, heart-shaped feature. Her look was completed with sparkling diamond pieces from Cartier. The actress’s hair was styled sleekly, and her makeup was kept subtle, done by Charlotte Tilbury, ensuring all eyes were on her outfit.
In a conversation with Ashley Graham, Moore revealed that her gown was surprisingly light, saying it made her “want to rumba.” The designer, Harris Reed, explained that the gown’s material was actually repurposed wallpaper, inspired by a Cartier necklace Moore wore.
The dress, featuring 11,000 hours of silk embroidery, represented the concept of Moore blossoming on the red carpet. Reed aimed to complement Moore’s presence with the dress, likening himself to the vines around her. Moore mentioned that the gown’s floral element is called chloris, named after the Greek nymph associated with flora.
Demi’s look gained both praise and criticism. “Wow, best outfit of the night. Truly stunning,” commented one. “She looks harsh after the last plastic surgery,” remarked another.
Demi also recently wow-ed with her youthful look at a high-profile fashion event. See her photos here.
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