A social media firestorm erupted today when Amber Rose called out Ariana Grande online over a Instagram story that showed Grande encouraging her fans not to go to work or school to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. In response, Amber Rose reacted with sharp criticism, telling Grande to “stop telling people not to go to work.”
In a clip that quickly spread across social media, Amber criticized Grande’s alleged call to action, saying: “I think she’s worth $250–300 million, telling people not to go to work, protest ICE. Are you going to give your money to these people so they can stay home from work? Stop telling people to do that.”
She didn’t stop there. She used a slur that pushed the backlash into overdrive. The tone, delivery, and choice of words turned a protest message into a celebrity feud.
Right away, the internet split into two camps. Some supported Amber Rose for what they saw as a reality check on social responsibility. Others took Ariana Grande’s side, defending her right to speak out on issues big or small. The reaction was loud, messy, and full of strong opinions from all sides.
The Internet Picks Sides
In situations like this, social media reacts fast. Within hours of Amber Rose’s post, fans, critics, and other celebrities chimed in with hot takes, memes, and everything in between. Some fans backed Amber’s message, saying it was a much-needed reality check. Others slammed her for being disrespectful and taking unnecessary shots at Ariana.
An X user wrote: “I think she’s right. Bc after the protest you still need to pay rent and if you don’t have it.. You’re evicted. And you can’t protest hungry. And at the protest nobody not even Ariana will give away food to them. What a tough spot people who can’t afford are put in hey”
Others jumped to Ariana’s defense. A user wrote “Ariana is legit known for her financial and spotlight generosity with small businesses. Ofc she understands some people may not be able to prioritize making their income.”
Photo Credit: ScreEnshot from Buzzing Pop/X
Meanwhile, Ariana Grande fans defended the singer’s reputation for activism. Grande has a well‑documented history of speaking out about issues she cares about, especially around mental health and gender equality. Many of her supporters said that because she is outspoken, people should hear what she truly said before shooting off angry replies online.
Then came the fan wars. Nicki Minaj, Billie Eilish, even Donald Trump got pulled into the discourse as people tried to map out old alliances, rivalries, and who’s still friends with who. That’s when the conversation moved from a serious debate to pure celebrity internet chaos.
What This Tells Us
This clash between Amber Rose and Ariana Grande is bigger than two celebs taking jabs at each other. It taps into a growing tension around celebrity activism, especially when it’s tied to serious political issues.
Ariana is known for using her platform to speak on causes she believes in. From gun reform to mental health awareness, she’s not new to advocacy. But even good intentions can feel out of sync when they collide with economic pressure and the reality of living paycheck to paycheck.
Amber’s point, underneath the yelling, reflects a valid concern: it’s risky to push working people toward protest without offering them any backup. Missing work, even for one day, can mean losing income, opportunity, or worse. Not everyone has the safety net a superstar does.
Photo Credit: Screenshot from Buzzing Pop/X
That said, Amber’s delivery didn’t help. The slur she used turned off even people who agreed with her overall message. The internet is increasingly less forgiving of language that crosses lines, especially from people with large followings.
What’s happening here is something that keeps showing up: celebrity voices are louder than ever, but so is the pressure to get it right. Fans want stars to care. But they also want them to be aware of the privilege they bring into every statement. When a protest movement is built on sacrifice, people want to know that the people leading it are sharing in that sacrifice, not just tweeting from a mansion.
What do you think?