The controversy has sparked a heated debate online, leading to a backlash and a reevaluation of the brand’s marketing strategy. The stage was set for drama when Sebastien Fiset and Jess Frenette, founders of Bobba, sought investment to expand their bubble tea empire.
- Simu Liu is best know from the MCU movie saga
- He has appeared in an episode of 'Dragon's Den'
- Simu is claiming cultural appropriation
Simu has a problem
But their pitch took a turn when guest star Simu Liu, known for his role as a Marvel superhero, raised concerns over their description of the traditional Taiwanese drink as a "trendy, sugary drink."
Liu didn’t hold back, challenging the duo on their claim of "disturbing" the market with a healthier version of bubble tea. "There’s an issue of taking something that’s very distinctly Asian in its identity and ‘making it better,’" Liu remarked, accusing the pair of cultural appropriation. His refusal to invest underscored his commitment to uplifting minority entrepreneurs and preserving cultural heritage.
Bubble tea is a Taiwanese tea-based drink with tapioca balls that has risen in popularity in recent years.
The friction between Liu and Bobba owners Sebastien Fiset and Jess Frenette was visible early in their pitch. Setting up their product, Frenette described bubble tea as a "trendy, sugary drink" and suggested that consumers are "never quite sure about its contents."
Liu interrupted the pitch to say, "hang on, hang on. I am quite sure about its content, but continue." Fiset pitched Bobba as a new spin on traditional bubble tea, saying he and Frenette had "transformed this beloved beverage into a convenient and healthier ready-to-drink experience."
He added that they are disturbing the bubble tea market by using "three simple ingredients," including high quality tea, fruit juice and their Popping Bobba, which are edible pearls filled with fruit juice, according to the company’s website. Liu, who is Chinese-Canadian, took issue with how they qualified their product, calling it "cultural appropriation."
"There’s an issue of taking something that’s very distinctly Asian in its identity and ‘making it better,’ which I have an issue with," Liu said.
Following the episode, the internet was abuzz, leading to threats and harassment towards the Bobba founders. Liu, along with 'Dragons’ Den' and investor Manjit Minhas, who initially showed interest in Bobba, called for an end to the negativity. Recognizing the controversy, Bobba issued an apology, promising to revisit their branding and marketing to honor bubble tea’s cultural roots.
Liu ultimately opted not to invest in the product, saying, "I want to be a part of bringing boba to the masses but not like this."
"I started this venture company for a lot of reasons but really primarily to uplift minority entrepreneurs," Liu said. "Not only do I feel like this is not happening here, but that I would be uplifting a business that is profiting off of something that feels so dear to my cultural heritage."
Despite initially striking a deal with Minhas, the investor withdrew her offer after further reflection and public feedback. This decision highlights the growing awareness and sensitivity around cultural representation in business.
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Backlash galore
This episode serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural sensitivity in entrepreneurship. As Bobba rethinks its approach, the conversation around cultural appropriation and respect continues. Simu Liu's stance has not only defended a cultural tradition but also sparked a broader dialogue on representation and authenticity in the marketplace.
