Ashley Graham Faces Backlash For Target Shopping Trip Amid Boycott

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Supermodel Ashley Graham has been receiving negative feedback from her followers after she shared a clip of her shopping at Target. The partnership with Olly Wellness flaunted Graham picking personal items, nevertheless, most of the people commenting were worried only about her decision of shop in the store that is being boycotted right now. What was supposed to be a presentation of the model’s basic necessities, turned into an argument about consumer morality and the impact of celebrities.

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To make her point, Ashley graham posted a colourful video on Instagram where she demonstrated her “two-in-one” outing which consisted of grocery shopping and a trip to Target. The model disclosed in the clip some items that she always keeps with her but they are somewhat unexpected, like tampons (“because you never know”), pens for possible “oopsies” at drinking parties, boob tape for her outfit, and her Olly Women’s Multi vitamins which she refers to as her “number one support” while traveling. Besides, she mentioned about getting chewing gum and touch-up things, making the haul seem like practical necessities for her active lifestyle. The video was very positively captioned not “forgetting all the goodies for the gals” and tagged her collaboration with Olly Wellness.

However, the audience’s reaction was not what she anticipated as many commenters immediately concentrated on her Target visit rather than the products she was endorsing. Target has been facing consumer boycotts over various corporate policies since the beginning of 2024, and Graham’s nonchalant reference to shopping there was certainly noticed by the activists opposing the boycott.

A user outrightly said, “Luv u girl, but Target? Haven’t been there since February and will never go back,” describing the sentiment of a lot of people who are against the boycott. A more militant commenter declared, “To my fellow pro DEI people: KEEP BOYCOTTING! ITS WORKING!” and this indicates that the commenter saw Graham’s post as evidence that the boycott was making Target less visible and the celebrity affiliations less appealing.

Another follower more candidly commented “Not Target!!! You have ethics,” revealing that the model was committing an ethical error by shopping at the store in his opinion. There was even an undertone of disapproval about her choice in a simple reminder from a user: “Ashley not Target . 🎯 do you remember?”.

Nevertheless, amid the negativity, there were some supporters of Graham who defended her by giving compliments about her look and character. One fan, speaking for the group, said, “Damn girl you are 🔥🔥,” and another one echoed Graham’s ability to convince people by saying, “You could sell snowballs to the Eskimos 👏💯❤️.” One particularly excited fan wrote, “Girl you would smash jaws to the floor if u grocery shop like this 🐆,” meaning that Graham’s big and bold persona shines through even in the shopping situation.

The mixed reactions show the difficulties that stars have to deal with when their daily habits coincide with current consumer movements. Graham’s video was obviously a joke covering up practical items and a brand partnership; however, the whereabouts of her shopping trip turned into the unintentional focus of many viewers. This case indicates how even harmless social media posts may become stumbling blocks in wider cultural dialogues, especially when they are about the businesses that activists are targeting with consumer protests.

Moreover, the situation showcases the tough relationship between celebrities and their audiences in the times of social media activism. Followers hold the public figures more accountable for their consumption choices and expect different public and political positions to go hand in glove. For influencers and celebrities like Graham, who often cover through branded partnerships and her routine moments, it is imperative that they carefully consider how even mundane activities might be viewed through the current cultural lens.

Graham’s positive attitude throughout the video, even when she was receiving negative comments, was an admirable trait; she kept on emphasizing the practical aspects of her shopping trip. This is a strategy that sometimes public figures use to handle unexpected controversies, that is, they remain true to their content, while the conversations take place around them. The incident is yet another case of celebrity social media presence transforming from mere fan engagement to a complex web where every post can become part of larger cultural discussions. She recently hosted the Room to Grow Gala with a powerful message about family support.

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Ultimately, the reaction to the Target video of Ashley Graham implies that in the digital world where everything is interconnected, no celebrity act no matter how small is free from public scrutiny, and even a apparently trivial shopping trip could turn out to be a significant cultural commentary. Graham also continues her work with major brands, as seen in her stunning new Victoria’s Secret campaign with a powerful message. Fans can also look forward to her upcoming projects, as Ashley Graham announces a major movie role coming this fall. Additionally, Victoria’s Secret confirms Ashley Graham’s return for a major fashion show.