Ariana Grande has caused some controversy lately, and now, she’s withdrawing from the Major League Baseball All-Star concert she was supposed to headline Saturday.
The pop star made headlines this weekend when TMZ released security footage of Grande and her boyfriend seemingly licking doughnuts on the counter of a shop in Southern California. Grande also said “I hate Americans” and “I hate America” after an employee brought out a tray of fresh doughnuts. Police and health officials are now investigating the incident, per The Associated Press.
In a statement Wednesday, Grande cited a wisdom teeth extraction as her official reason for pulling out of the MLB concert. She also apologized for saying she hated America and essentially said she licked the doughnuts as a protest against childhood obesity (seriously).
“I am EXTREMELY proud to be an American and I’ve always made it clear that I love my country,” the statement read, per Yahoo! Sports. “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. … 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.”
Demi Lovato will perform at the concert in Grande’s stead.
Thumbnail photo via Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports Images
