Is Ariana Grande Vegan, and Why Is Her Starbucks Collaboration Causing Soy Much Controversy?

Ariana Grande proudly announced that she'd turned vegan back in November 2013, when she tweeted: "I've eaten organically since I was little, and always kept meat minimal but today marks my first day as a 100% Vegan!!!! Joyous day."

But some fans have recently been questioning the star's cruelty free status after she became the new face of Starbuck's Cloud Macchiato.

Despite urging her fans on Twitter to try the soy version of the drink, it turns out that the drink CANNOT be made vegan, even with a dairy-free milk alternative.

This is because the foamy cloud part of the macchiato is made using egg-whites and the caramel topping has butter, heavy cream and dry milk.

Starbucks didn't hide the drink's dairy component in their press-release which clearly stated, "To create the Cloud Macchiato, Starbucks in-house product development team created a special recipe for Cloud powder, using egg whites a key ingredient that is added to the Cold Foam to create a fluffy texture that tastes luxurious."

But Ariana's promotion of the drink prompted a backlash from the star's fans on Twitter, who understandably expected the drink to be vegan.

One wrote: "was so excited to try ariana’s collab drinks w @Starbucks but they aren’t vegan or even dairy free :( what the HECK ari."

Another exclaimed: "i thought ariana was a vegan so i was expecting the cloud drink to have a vegan option but i was BAMBOOZLED.... @ArianaGrande you will be handled."

And another added: "Isn't ariana grande vegan? Why is she promoting a drink with dairy? "Try the soy version"... hunny the caramel drizzle & cloud powder both have dairy in them... but go off sis make everyone pay the extra 60 cents for soy milk and boost Starbuck's sales."

The outrage also extended to Starbucks baristas who had to deal with the unhappy customers who thought the drink could be made vegan.

One tweeted: "IF I HAVE ONE MORE /VEGAN/ CUSTOMER COME TO STARBUCKS AND ASK FOR A CLOUD MACCHIATO MADE WITH SOY EXPECTING IT TO BE VEGAN IM GOING TO SCREAM."

Despite the cloud macchiato being off the menu for vegans, they can still choose from a wide range of drinks including soy/coconut/almond/oat milk lattes and hot chocolate.

But the issue here is that Ariana, a self-confessed Vegan, is actively promoting a non-vegan product.

This isn't the first time she's come under fire from her vegan fans.

The star also has a collaboration with MAC cosmetics which despite claiming to be a cruelty-free company, still pays for animal tests of their products in China since this is a requirement there.

But Ariana still continues to proclaim her veganism in interviews such as when she told The Mirror in 2018, "I love animals more than I love most people, not kidding. But I am a firm believer in eating a full plant-based, whole food diet that can expand your life length and make you an all-around happier person."

Sadly it seems that principles and vegan values are all well and good when they're helping a star to sell an album or improve their image but when a shinier deal comes along, the dollar signs win over the animals any day.

For the record, here are all the drinks that vegans CAN have at Starbucks...

• Black Americano
• Iced Black Americano
• Espresso
• Soy/Coconut/Almond Milk Cappuccino
• Soy/Coconut/Almond Milk Latte
• Soy/Coconut/Almond Milk Mocha
• Soy/Coconut/Almond Milk Flat White
• Breakfast tea
• Green tea
• Chai tea
• Earl Grey tea
• Hibiscus tea
• Emperor’s Clouds & Mist tea
• Jasmine Pearls Tea Chai tea
• Mint Citrus Green tea
• Mint Blend tea
• Chamomile tea
• Youthberry tea
• Soy/coconut/almond milk hot chocolate