Why is ‘Boycott Ulta Beauty' trending on X? New 2025 campaign sparks backlash
The video, which highlights Van Ness's vision of inclusivity and self-expression through beauty, has sparked outrage among some internet users, leading to a resurgence of the hashtag #BoycottUltaBeauty on X (formerly Twitter).
ALSO READ| Who is Jennifer Escaler? Texas officer under investigation for cracking joke over not getting 'cracked last night'
Ulta's Van Ness Ad lights up the internet
'TIME TO BOYCOTT ULTA BEAUTY,' one user posted.
'IF YOU ARE A REAL WOMAN , DO NOT MAKE THIS ULTRA WOKE COMPANY ANOTHER DIME,' another shared.
'I have never shopped at an @ultabeauty store. During Covid they required masks and would not allow entry posted on the door, and this advertising will ensure I forever will never shop there. This brand needs to fail once & for all,' one user wrote.
'This is Ulta. The huge beauty chain that women all across America shop at monthly. Is this what you want your wife, girlfriend, daughter to look like or aspire to? Are they promoting beards in women? Just boycott Ulta,' another X user piped in.
Ulta Beauty saw another boycott call in 2022
Interestingly, this huge backlash mirrors a similar wave of backlash the retailer encountered in 2022, when it aired an episode of its podcast, The Beauty Of..., featuring transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney and gender-fluid host David Lopez.
While many applauded Ulta's effort to embrace diversity, others accused the brand of 'pushing an agenda' and called for a boycott. The current reaction to the Jonathan Van Ness campaign appears to follow the same pattern.
'We believe beauty is for everyone. And while we recognize some conversations we host will challenge perspectives and opinions, we believe constructive dialogue is one important way to move beauty forward,' Ulta Beauty previously addressed similar criticism in 2022, stating on X.
'The intersectionality of gender identity is nuanced, something David and Dylan acknowledge themselves within the episode. Regardless of how someone identifies, they deserve our respect.'
ALSO READ| California, Hawaii or Oregon? Costco fans clash over which US state has the best store
Notably, just yesterday, a misdemeanour criminal case was brought by local prosecutors that asserted that the Ulta Beauty store in the Marina Pacifica shopping center had overpriced two of its products.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Peeling The Layer(s): UFC And Ur-Fascism(?)
Last Updated: Trump recently announced plans for hosting a UFC event on the White House lawn for America's 250th anniversary, highlighting the troubling mix of spectacle, and exploitation. On July 4, 2025, as fireworks illuminated the Washington sky, Donald Trump announced that he would stage a UFC fight on the White House lawn for America's 250th anniversary. With promises of a 20,000–25,000-strong crowd, Trump's gambit transformed the nation's highest office into a gladiatorial arena. For mixed martial arts enthusiasts, the spectacle felt electrifying. Yet beneath the roar of the crowd and the clang of the cage lies a troubling convergence: a pageantry, corporate exploitation, and the unsettling echoes of Umberto Eco's concept of ur-fascism —'Eternal Fascism" defined by an array of traits that can congeal into authoritarianism. As MMA fans, it's thrilling to witness combat on such a grand stage. But to appreciate the sport's heart and soul, we must peel back the veneer of political theater and examine how hypermasculine imagery and athlete oppression combine in a promotion that champions a nationalist spectacle while treating its fighters like mere commodities. Match made in Heaven Trump's ties to the UFC predate his presidency. In 2001, the Trump Taj Mahal rescued UFC 31 and 32 when the promotion was bankrupt, cementing a bond with Dana White that endures two decades later. An opportunity White credits with rescuing the organization from obscurity. Their bond transcended business. White publicly endorsed Trump in all three of his presidential campaigns, speaking at the 2016 Republican National Convention and campaigning alongside him in 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, White partnered with Florida's governor to stage UFC 249—earning praise and a personal video from President Trump as other leagues remained sidelined. After the Capitol raid on January 6 and ensuing political fallout, UFC events offered Trump welcome platforms; he launched his TikTok channel at UFC 302 in 2024, tapping into the promotion's young-male audience. At Madison Square Garden and Mar-a-Lago rallies, White energized crowds with fervent endorsements, even sharing the stage on election night when Trump reclaimed the presidency. White's political involvement culminated in a board appointment at Meta—widely seen as a nod to Trump's influence—before he vowed in November 2024 to avoid politics going forward. Their decades-long alliance illustrates how each elevated the other's brand across sport, media, and politics, forging an enduring partnership built on loyalty and spectacle. The Cult of Tradition Umberto Eco's ur-fascism begins with a cult of tradition, a reverence for the past that brooks no dissent and envisions truth as already revealed—Trump's UFC extravaganza on the White House lawn taps into this impulse. By invoking America's 250-year history, he frames the event as an inevitable, almost sacred continuation of national destiny. Tradition becomes a tool to stifle—a reminder that new ideas and critiques have no place when the founding myth is sacrosanct. This political spectacle almost mirrors the fascist pageantry of the 20th century, where mass rallies, grandiose symbols, and choreographed violence served to unite followers in a mythic narrative. The Octagon, normally a contained ring of athletic competition, becomes a stage for a hyperreal performance of strength, suggesting that national greatness lies in sanctioned brutality rather than democratic discourse. Machismo and the Cult of Death Eco describes a cult of death and machismo inherent to ur-fascism, where heroism equates to a willingness to die—and to send others to their deaths. The UFC's brutal aesthetic, with its visceral bloodsport and knockout highlights, feeds this allure. MMA fans revel in displays of striking prowess and submission mastery, but the narrative often glorifies the idea of 'sacrifice" without acknowledging the human cost. Fighters endure punishing training camps, chronic injuries, and repeated concussions. Yet the UFC offers no cover, or disability benefits. Medical expenses fall squarely on the athlete, who may face lifelong disabilities once the cheering subsides. The Ngannou Episode Eco's essay identifies the rejection of modernism and anti-intellectualism as twin pillars of ur-fascism. This can be noted in UFC's apparent dismissal of practices considered boilerplate for athlete protection. In the UFC's case, White actively discourages fighters from voicing concerns about pay and healthcare, labeling such calls for reform as 'disgusting politics" unworthy of serious debate, and often leverages his relationship with Trump to safeguard UFC's model. When fighters attempt to unionise or demand better conditions, White's retort is swift and dismissive. He uses the same rhetoric as past dictators: framing criticism as betrayal and disloyalty. Francis Ngannou, the heavyweight superstar, requested that the UFC provide health insurance and in-cage sponsorships for all fighters, as well as an athlete advocate to assist them, only to receive the proverbial boot when White refused to extend his contract and accused him of ducking Jon Jones, resulting in a prolonged spat that continues to date. This divide-and-conquer approach ensures that fighters remain isolated, unable to band together for better wages, or safety protocols. It echoes the operator of ur-fascism: by making the very act of questioning a betrayal, authoritarian leaders maintain unquestioned control over both physical and ideological battlegrounds. White reinforces a cult of action for action's sake, ensuring that compliance and spectacle take precedence over meaningful reform; and he amplifies this message through conservative media allies, framing these concessions as a slippery slope toward socialism. The Pay Dilemma For all its blockbuster events, the UFC's financial model is notoriously lopsided. Entry-level fighters earn merely $10,000 to show plus a $10,000 win bonus, while champions rarely exceed $5 million per fight. UFC retains only 13–14.5% of its revenue for fighters which brings into question the bifurcation of its funds. Preliminary-card athletes endure the harshest disparities. In UFC Seattle: Cejudo vs. Song, compliance pay—a catch-all for media obligations, weigh-ins, and promotional interviews—ranged from $4,000 for newcomers to $21,000 for veterans like Andre Fili, who earned that sum despite a loss. Considering most fighters average 2 to 3 appearances a year—after training, travel, management fees, doctors and taxes, many prelim fighters pocket barely enough to cover rent. This economic pressurisation makes athletes feel crushed by larger forces—powers beyond their fathoming. Selective Populism Selective populism, another ur-fascist trait, treats 'the people" as a monolithic entity whose will is embodied solely by a charismatic leader. Trump's UFC spectacle leveraged chants of 'U.S.A." and flag-waving to equate cheering for fighters with patriotic duty. Fans became actors in a populist drama, instructed to see any critique of the event or its labour practices as 'un-American". Some of the fighters themselves are roped in as proxies to add to a general sense of approval—recent examples being Merab Dvalishvili and Kayla Harrison—champions who unwittingly contribute to the optics. Newspeak: Limiting Criticism In Eco's framework, Newspeak—an impoverished vocabulary—ensures that only sanctioned ideas survive. UFC discourse is riddled with slogans like 'Protect the P—pay-per-view" or 'UFC family," conflating corporate messaging with genuine community. Terms like 'fighter empowerment" ring hollow when voices are silenced, replaced by soundbites curated to glorify management's narrative. This controlled vernacular discourages nuanced debate about fundamental assistance, representation, and political influence. Fans are invited to chant and cheer, not to question the tightening grip of corporate and political interests that exploit passion for profit. Toward a Fighter-Centered Future For MMA enthusiasts who breathe every takedown and celebrate each submission, confronting these ur-fascist tendencies is daunting but necessary. The sport's essence—skill, strategy, and sheer willpower—deserves a foundation of fairness and solidarity. Transformative steps include: Establishing a genuine fighters' union to negotiate living wages, transparent revenue sharing, and comprehensive healthcare. Demanding independent oversight of compliance pay and medical protocols, ensuring transparency in how the UFC allocates its billions. Cultivating fan-champion advocacy, where support for killer five-round wars extends to backing athletes' rights outside the cage. top videos View all By recognising the hallmarks of ur-fascism —from the cult of tradition and rejection of modernism to Newspeak—we can reclaim the Octagon as an arena of true athleticism and solidarity, rather than a stage for corporate-authoritarian theatrics. While Dana White's business acumen has propelled both the sport and the UFC to heights unimaginable, there comes a time to evolve and adapt—especially when a business model is growing ever-obsolete owing to current trends. In doing so, MMA fans honour not just the fighters they idolise, but also preserve the sport's integrity for generations to come. News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Dana White donald trump mixed martial arts ufc Ultimate Fighting Championship view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 05, 2025, 14:35 IST News sports Opinion | Peeling The Layer(s): UFC And Ur-Fascism(?) Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
First Meeting During Covid To Ugly Divorce: A Look At Yuzvendra Chahal, Dhanashree's Story
Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma met each other during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown over Zoom dance classes. Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal has finally addressed his divorce from choreographer Dhanashree Verma. Speaking to Raj Shamani on his YouTube channel, the 35-year-old cricketer recently opened up about the end of their five-year marriage, mental health struggles and how the former couple had decided to keep their separation private until it was legally finalised. The duo was officially granted their divorce from the Mumbai family court earlier this year, marking the end of a relationship that once made headlines for its adorable chemistry and wholesome bond. With that in mind, let's take a closer look at their relationship timeline and their divorce later. When It All Began Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree met each other during the 2020 COVID-19-induced lockdown over online dance classes. Chahal had enrolled in Dhanashree's dance sessions and what started as a professional interaction soon blossomed into something beautiful called love. A Quick Engagement Months after the meeting, the couple made their relationship official with an engagement announcement on Instagram in August 2020. The post featured them in traditional outfits, smiling and glowing with happiness. Fans were surprised and delighted at the same time and warm wishes poured in from across the cricket and entertainment world. The Fairytale Wedding In December 2020, Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree tied the knot in a lavish traditional ceremony in Gurgaon, surrounded by close friends and family. Videos and photos from the wedding flooded social media, with fans extending their heartfelt wishes for the two. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dhanashree Verma (@dhanashree9) Love In The Public Eye For the next couple of years, Chahal and Dhanashree kept posting dance reels, vacation posts and behind-the-scenes glimpses of their married life. Dhanashree would frequently accompany Chahal at his cricket matches, making them fan favourites. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) Trouble In Paradise By mid-2023, fans began noticing that something was off and their frequent social media updates became rare as time passed by. Cryptic Instagram captions and fewer appearances replaced the fun-filled, loved-up posts, further fuelling speculations. By the end of the year, Chahal had removed several photos, and the couple unfollowed each other on Instagram. The Final Step: Divorce In February 2025, the duo was spotted outside Bandra Family Court. They had filed a joint petition for divorce by mutual consent and requested to waive the mandatory six-month waiting period. Weeks later, the Mumbai family court granted them the decree of divorce, making their separation official. In his latest interview, Chahal explained that both of them had mutually agreed to keep the matter private until everything was finalised. Despite the ups and downs, Chahal and Dhanashree handled their separation with dignity. The cricketer is rumoured to be dating RJ Mahavash but maintains that he is single. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
'This Was The Moment Bill Decided to Kill Everybody on Earth', says Rob Schneider as he shares photo; Elon Musk replies
American actor and comedian Rob Schneider recently shared an old image of Microsoft founder Bill Gates on X (formerly Twitter). The image in the post references a 1998 incident in Brussels when Belgian prankster Noël Godin 'attacked' then Microsoft CEO Bill Gates with pie. 'This Was The Moment Bill Decided to Kill Everybody on Earth,' reads the text on the image. The exaggerated caption, as reflected by some comments in the post, seems to tie to a conspiracy theory, linking Bill Gates to COVID-19 vaccine and depopulation myths. The post caught the attention of Tesla CEO Elon Musk who replied to it with a grimacing face emoji. When Microsoft founder Bill Gates was attacked by pie As mentioned above, the incident dates back to 1998 when Bill Gates was on his official visit to the European Union. As per CNET report, the Microsoft chairman was then struck in the face with a cream pastry--a cake or possibly a pie--as he was entering a government building to give a speech on education. The prankster was then identified as Belgian prankster Noel Godin who escaped from the scene then only to appear back on television to take responsibility for the attack. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Jeweled Rice, Made Easy—Here's the Recipe Learn More Undo Who is Noël Godin who attacked Bill Gates Godin, who is also called "L'entarteur" or "The Pieman," reportedly had a bigger reason for his actions. He believed Bill Gates stood for the capitalist system. In Godin's eyes, Gates was part of a system that should be questioned and made fun of. As per reports, Godin felt that even though Gates was rich and powerful, he was still following the rules of the system without trying to change it. Throwing a pie at Gates was Godin's way of protesting against what he saw as the problems and unfairness of capitalism. How Bill Gates responded Gates shrugged off the incident with humor, jokingly saying, 'The worst part is, it wasn't even that tasty.' "Oddly enough, [Godin] apparently complained that [Gates] didn't react strongly enough," a Microsoft spokeswoman then said. "This incident is very unfortunate, especially in light of the types of things Bill is trying to do," she added. "He later made a joke about how the cream didn't even taste that good." Only time will tell if that's good humored enough for the cream puff catapulting Godin. Biggest Tech Layoffs of 2025: Job Cuts at TCS, Intel, Microsoft, Google and more AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
