Boba tea company issues apology following controversy on Canada’s Dragon’s Den
A Canadian bubble tea company has issued an apology after actor Simu Liu accused them of cultural appropriation during an episode of CBC’s Dragon’s Den, a reality TV series similar to Shark Tank. The controversy arose when the owners of a Quebec-based bubble tea brand, Bobba, presented their product to potential investors, including Liu. The entrepreneurs, Sébastien Fiset and Jess Frenette, claimed their product was “disrupting” the bubble tea market by using only three simple ingredients to create a “convenient and healthier” version of the popular drink.
Liu, a Canadian-Chinese actor known for his role in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, pushed back against this pitch. He expressed concerns about the idea of “disrupting” or “disturbing” bubble tea, a beverage deeply rooted in Taiwanese culture. “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 remarked during the episode. He also questioned whether the entrepreneurs had a team that understood the cultural significance of bubble tea, traditionally made with tapioca pearls.
In response, Fiset mentioned that their “best partner” was based in Taiwan and was responsible for developing their recipes and boba, implying a connection to the drink’s origins. However, the episode quickly sparked backlash on social media, with users criticizing the Bobba owners for their approach and for downplaying the cultural significance of the drink.
On Monday, the owners of Bobba issued a public apology, acknowledging Simu Liu’s concerns about cultural appropriation and expressing regret for any harm caused by their comments on Dragon’s Den. In their statement, they welcomed the feedback as a “learning opportunity” and committed to reevaluating their branding, packaging, and marketing strategies. The company aims to ensure that their products reflect a respectful and accurate representation of their partnership with Taiwan and the cultural origins of bubble tea.
Liu also took to social media in an effort to calm the situation, acknowledging that Fiset and Frenette had come on the show “in good faith.” However, he clarified that he chose not to invest in their company who were seeking $1 million CAD for an 18% stake due to the issues he raised about cultural appropriation. While he did not support the business model, Liu stressed that the entrepreneurs did not deserve the harassment they were receiving online.
Another judge on Dragon’s Den, Manjit Minhas, initially expressed her support for Bobba’s pitch. She argued that new interpretations of traditional products, such as their take on bubble tea, can be valid and offer a fresh perspective. However, after witnessing the intense social media backlash that followed the episode, Minhas reconsidered her stance. On Sunday, after reflecting further and taking public opinion into account, she announced that she had decided not to invest in the company.
Minhas also disclosed that she had been subjected to online abuse, receiving hateful messages that forced her to disable comments on her social media platforms. In a video statement, she condemned the harassment, emphasizing that it is never acceptable to send hate or threatening messages to entrepreneurs. She stressed that discussions around cultural issues should be respectful and that constructive dialogue, rather than hostility, should guide these conversations.