Simu Liu Criticizes Boba Brand for Cultural Appropriation

Olivia Chen and Pauline Ang, the founders of the boba milk tea brand Twrl, have unexpectedly received an opportunity to pitch to actor Simu Liu after they posted a TikTok video supporting him in a cultural appropriation debate. This debate was ignited by Liu's criticism of the Quebec-based boba company Bobba on the Canadian show 'Dragons’ Den,' which claimed their product was superior to traditional bubble tea. Liu declined to invest in Bobba, stating he would not support a business profiting from a culture that is deeply significant to him. The incident has sparked discussions about the fine line between cultural appropriation and appreciation in entrepreneurship. Chen expressed that they intend to educate others on the importance of authenticity in cultural products. The Twrl founders hope their initiative will contribute to these ongoing conversations about cultural respect and representation.