Demi Lovato has been tapped as the new headliner for Saturday’s Major League Baseball All-Star Concert following Ariana Grande’s withdrawal. The official reason given for Grande dropping out is she’s recovering from a wisdom teeth extraction. But Grande’s sweet tooth, which led to some bizarre behavior over the weekend, may actually be to blame.
In shocking new surveillance video footage obtained by TMZ, Grande was captured sniffing and licking a doughnut on the counter of a doughnut shop in Lake Elsinore, Calif. this past Saturday. In the video, Grande completes the stunt after asking her rumored boyfriend, backup dancer Ricky Alvarez, “Dare me?”
When a restaurant employee later presents a new tray of doughnuts to Grande, the singer-actress says, “What the f--- is that? I hate Americans. I hate America.” Not exactly the most appropriate statement coming from someone about to perform for an MLB event showcasing America’s favorite pastime.
Grande released a statement late Wednesday morning attempting to explain her seemingly anti-American statement and her withdrawal from the MLB event, although she did not specifically address the doughnut-licking. Instead, she focused on the topic of childhood obesity and her apparent hatred for fried pastry.
“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.”
Tony Petitti, COO, Major Baseball League, made no mention of the incident in a separate statement released Wednesday, and simply wished Grande well. “We’re disappointed that Ariana Grande can not partake in the All-Star festivities, but wish her a speedy recovery,” he said.
Lovato, for her part, is excited to be added to the bill. “I hope my fans in Cincinnati are ready to get ‘Cool for the Summer’!” she said in her own statement, making reference to the title of her new single.
The Budweiser All-Star Concert takes place Saturday, July 11, at Paul Brown Stadium, and will also feature a performance by Rixton.