Amber Rose is speaking out against Ariana Grande after the pop star promoted a nationwide protest targeting immigration and tariffs, which Rose says shows a disconnect between wealthy celebrities and ordinary Americans.
The controversy began after Grande shared an Instagram story urging people to participate in a “nationwide shutdown” on Jan. 30 by avoiding work, school and shopping as part of a protest against ICE.
The post quickly spread online and sparked debate, particularly among critics who questioned how skipping work could affect families who depend on daily wages.
“ICE out! Nationwide shutdown! No work. No school. No shopping. January 30, 2026,” Grande’s post read.
Rose addressed the issue during a live stream Thursday with social media personality Sneako, sharply criticizing the message and the privilege she believes comes with it.
She argued that asking people to stop working ignores the economic realities many Americans face.
“Ariana Grande … I think she’s worth, I don’t know, $250-300 million dollars telling people not to go to work, protesting ICE. It’s like, ‘Girl, shut up,'” Rose said.
She went on to question whether wealthy celebrities should be calling for financial sacrifices they don’t have to make themselves.
“You’re going to give your money away to these people to stay home from work? Stop telling people to do that … I think anybody who tells people not to go to work, not to go to school, not to f— buy things for their family and they’re worth $250-300 million dollars, they should shut up.”
Rose also expanded the conversation to celebrity involvement in politics, referencing a recent viral moment involving Nicki Minaj and President Donald Trump.
She revealed that she personally introduced Minaj to Trump and emphasized her longtime friendship with the rapper.
“So I introduced them … Nicki has been my friend for probably about 16 years now, you know, I was in her first music video,” Rose said.
Defending Minaj against criticism of her political associations, Rose pointed to the rapper’s charitable work and argued that actions mean more than political alignment.
“She pledged a lot of money to help young girls … I’ll never fully understand why she’s getting ripped for helping people. Regardless, if you don’t agree with her political views, she’s still helping people.”
The debate surrounding ICE protests has intensified following recent deadly encounters involving federal agents.
Earlier this month, Renee Nicole Good, 37, was fatally shot during an incident with an ICE officer in Minneapolis after she allegedly swerved her vehicle at him.
Days later, another person, Alex Pretti, was shot and killed by federal agents on January 24.
These incidents led to protests in Minneapolis and other parts of the country, with local leaders, including Mayor Jacob Frey, voicing criticism of ICE’s actions.
As the backlash continues to pour in, Rose’s comments highlight the growing divide over how celebrities use their platforms, especially when activism intersects with the economic realities of everyday people.
