Ariana Grande's 'I hate America' comments came back to haunt her in a big way

In 2015, pop star Ariana Grande was captured on a surveillance camera at a California doughnut shop, licking pastries she didn’t intend to buy.

>> Watch a news report on #DonutGate

“I hate America,” the singer said during the video, apparently commenting on the fattening food options in the U.S.

But according to leaked emails from Democratic Party officials, the #DonutGate fallout and some of the star's other actions cost her a chance to perform at a White House gala.

>> Ariana Grande issues another apology

In a chain of emails posted online Friday by WikiLeaks, an official asked for Grande to be vetted for the performance. The response included Grande's "I hate America" comment, her decision to lick doughnuts on display and, most recently, the public defense of her brother, Frankie Grande, on Twitter after someone insulted him using a gay slur.

Summarizing the case against Grande, staffer Kevin Snowden wrote in an email:

>> WikiLeaks dump could confirm Sanders fans' worst fears about the DNC

"Ariana Butera-video caught her licking other peoples' donuts while saying she hates America; Republican Congressman used this video and said it was a double standard that liberals were not upset with her like they are with Trump who criticized Mexicans; cursed out a person on Twitter after that person used an offensive word towards her brother."

Read the full email correspondence here.

– The Cox Media Group National Content Desk contributed to this report.

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