Emma Roberts had the nerve to promote this drink on Instagram and the internet came for her

By Mason Berlinka

Published Apr 16, 2023 at 09:00 AM

Reading time: 2 minutes

43083

Celebrities are no strangers to bizarre brand deals and sponsorships. Remember when Kim Kardashian opened a Charmin-branded restroom in Times Square back in 2010? You’ve got to get that bag somehow, even when it comes to the biggest stars out there, but nobody was expecting a milk ad to show up on Instagram, let alone being (awkwardly) promoted by American Horror Story actress Emma Roberts.

The ad in question saw Roberts, a “life-long milk drinker,” explain to her 19.7 million followers how she makes her iced lattes using whole milk. Spoiler alert, it’s done exactly the same way as everyone else does it. Roberts’ stans were in a frenzy following the #gonnaneedmilk advertisement. Did this seemingly small promo warrant such backlash from netizens though? That’s what we’re here to discuss.

The eye roll-inducing video saw the actress participate in the stereotypical voice over ‘get ready with me’ styled format, swanning around her no-doubt million dollar kitchen, while simultaneously feeding viewers with a myriad of facts about milk, including its nutritional value and the fact that it’s integral to her as a mother raising a child. In one section, the nepotism baby states: “Milk not only helps me stay active, but it provides vitamins for my son.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Emma Roberts (@emmaroberts)

A number of users took to the comments section, which has since been disabled, and expressed their utter shock at the partnership. One of the most significant criticisms posed by former fans revolved around how Roberts chose to participate in a partnership with an industry that perpetuates so much harm and injustice towards animals.

“Do you realise how much harm it causes to animals and the environment?” wrote one commenter. Another user reminded us that “cows milk → calves.”

Milk adverts are nothing new, although Robert’s attempt is pointedly less fun than the quintessential “Got Milk?” celebrity ads that ruled the 2010s. Given the previous milk campaigns’ success, it seems odd to be so bothered by the promotion of the fridge staple, but, in today’s climate conscious age, it’s not massively surprising to see the #oatmilkgang so up in arms about the partnership.

The dairy industry is cruel and a huge drain on the environment, that’s no lie. Five seconds online and you’ll soon be smothered with an abundance of images portraying the dirty and cramped conditions that industrial farm cows are subjected to.

Not to say that milk alternatives are guilt-free either, especially given their own environmental issues, but at least the latter avoid immense cruelty against cows and calves.

We’re just surprised to see Big Milk showing up with a paycheck for Roberts to make a milky latte and rattle off facts about the drink from a script. The strangest part was the mention of milk helping her son reach his “height potential,” as though a short son would be a failure to her as a parent.

We’d like to know what drew the Scream Queens star to selling her soul to the dairy industry, but there’s probably not much more to it than a sizeable paycheck.

The milk industry clearly needs a push and Roberts influencing us on Instagram is almost definitely not the solution—especially given its neglect in acknowledging gen Zers’ waning interest in cow juice. But hey, it was worth a try, right?

With milk making a spill into the influencing sphere, we can only wonder what other household goods and groceries are going to show up on our feeds. It’s only a matter of time before we see eggs and sliced bread being promoted by the likes of Jenna Ortega and Paul Mescal.

Keep On Reading

By Eliza Frost

Millie Bobby Brown reportedly accuses Stranger Things co-star David Harbour of harassment and bullying 

By Eliza Frost

Louis Tomlinson opens up about Liam Payne’s death and reflects on One Direction’s 15th anniversary

By Eliza Frost

Rina Sawayama calls out Sabrina Carpenter’s SNL performance of Nobody’s Son for cultural insensitivity 

By Eliza Frost

Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayoral race, and wife Rama Duwaji becomes city’s Gen Z first lady 

By Eliza Frost

Online pornography showing choking to be made illegal, says government 

By Eliza Frost

Are you in Group 7? Explaining the latest viral TikTok trend

By Eliza Frost

Netflix’s Adolescence sweeps Emmys, with star Owen Cooper making history as youngest-ever male winner

By Eliza Frost

How The Summer I Turned Pretty licensed so much of Taylor Swift’s discography for its soundtrack 

By Eliza Frost

Bad Bunny announced as halftime act for Super Bowl 2026—and conservatives aren’t too happy 

By Eliza Frost

NHS makes morning-after pill free at 10,000 pharmacies across England

By Eliza Frost

Why is everyone saying ‘Six-Seven’? The meaning behind the viral phrase

By Eliza Frost

Gen Z can’t afford one-night stands as rising cost of living causes sex recession

By Eliza Frost

If everyone has an AI boyfriend, what does that mean for the future of Gen Z dating?

By Eliza Frost

Did Katy Perry just confirm relationship with ex-Canadian PM Justin Trudeau?

By Eliza Frost

What is dry begging? And why is it a relationship red flag?

By Eliza Frost

Everything to know about Justin Lee Fisher, arrested at Travis Kelce’s home over Taylor Swift deposition papers from Justin Baldoni

By Eliza Frost

The Summer I Turned Pretty is getting a movie. Could it be here in time for Christmas?

By Eliza Frost

Vogue has declared boyfriends embarrassing, and the internet agrees

By Eliza Frost

The Summer I Turned Pretty’s Chris Briney is at the centre of a new love triangle, but this time for an audio erotica story 

By Eliza Frost

Controversial American Apparel owner just opened LA Apparel in NYC and TikTok girlies are flocking to shop