Photo Credit: @JimmyKimmelLive/YouTube
Curious about the recent buzz surrounding Simu Liu and Bobba Tea? The actor recently appeared on Dragons Den as a guest star and investor, where he made headlines for calling out the founders of a Canadian Bobba Tea brand. The incident sparked a social media debate about cultural appropriation, leaving many to wonder why Liu didn’t invest in the company.
So, why didn’t Liu invest in Bobba Tea and what angered him? Here are the details.
Simu Liu and Bobba tea controversy explained
Liu appeared on the Shark-tank style series Dragons Dens on October 10 premiered episode. Soon, the Bobba brand founders Sebastien Fiset and Jess Frenette took center stage to present their pitch. They kept a proposition in front of judges asking $1 million investment for an 18% share in the company.
The founders commenced their pitch by describing the bubble tea as a “trendy, sugary drink.” They added that many individuals aren’t aware of the ingredients included in the drink. To which Liu responded with, “Hang on, hang on. I am quite sure about its content, but continue.”
Flaunting their USP, they emphasized how they brought a unique take to the already existing traditional bubble teas. They specifically mentioned having “transformed this beloved beverage into a convenient and healthier ready-to-drink experience.” Additionally, they claim to have “disturbed” the market with their exclusive ingredients, which include high-quality tea, popping boba, and fruit juice.
However, the pitch didn’t sit well with the Marvel actor, who pointed out having issues with taking a beverage with an Asian identity and trying to make it “better”. Liu cross-questioned them if they had any Asian members in their company. To which the founders responded, that their “best partner” belongs to Taiwan. Unimpressed by their answers, Liu decided to not invest in the brand.
He stated his reason as “I started this venture company for a lot of reasons but really primarily to uplift minority entrepreneurs. 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.”
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