After Cinnabon came under fire for reportedly tweeting a “tacky” tribute to the late “Star Wars” actress, Carrie Fisher, the company has deleted the tweet and apologized.
Our deleted tweet was genuinely meant as a tribute, but we shouldn't have posted it. We are truly sorry.
— Cinnabon (@Cinnabon) December 28, 2016
According to multiple media outlets, the company tweeted, “RIP Carrie Fisher, you’ll always have the best buns in the galaxy,” along with a cinnamon-rendered Princess Leia with a Cinnabon roll serving as her hair.
Fans were quick to slam the “tacky” tweet and pointed out that “it was only a matter of time until brands started promoting their products using her death.”
“So Cinnabon thinks death is a cool promotional tool,” tweeted another user.
https://twitter.com/SydneyTom_/status/813873024168402944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/MarkDice/status/813888134651977728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
.@cinnabon: ummmm… NO to your Carrie Fisher tweet! You've gone beyond being a current, responsive brand to opportunistic and super tacky. pic.twitter.com/YoQ6E6eWbt
— Rebeca Arbona (@WithOnlyOneC) December 27, 2016
Tacky. Get over yourself and stop capitalizing on the tragic loss of an icon.. #Objectification
— Julie Alexandria, Co-Founder (@JulieAlexandria) December 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/Skyhartman/status/813871614005637120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Some rushed to Cinnabon’s defense, however, claiming that “Carrie Fisher would have gotten a kick out of the Cinnabon tweet,” adding that the company had nothing to apologize for.
I feel like Carrie Fisher would have gotten a kick out of the Cinnabon tweet to be honest.
— Calvin (@calvinstowell) December 27, 2016
@Cinnabon is okay in my book! Your tweet was in good humor & you did NOTHING wrong. Let douchebags be overly sensitive. #CarrieFisher
— Jared (@phillyguy001) December 28, 2016
I was not offended at all. What a ridiculous thing for people to lose their minds over. #CarrieFisher #RIPCarrie
— Twirling Dervish (@ZissouGirl) December 28, 2016
https://twitter.com/ira/status/813879725332447232
Can't help but think that Carrie Fisher would have appreciated that Cinnabon tweet. pic.twitter.com/DOisE5eIwe
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) December 27, 2016
Fisher died Tuesday after suffering a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles on Friday. Her brother and her mother, Debbie Reynolds, had kept fans up to date saying that she was in stable condition until family spokesman Simon Halls told media that Fisher had passed away at the age of 60.
The actress was best known for starring as Princess Leia in the “Star Wars” franchise, a role she was expected to reprise in “Episode VIII” and “Episode IX.” She last had a cameo in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” last year.
“We have great appreciation for the life and career of Carrie Fisher,” Jill Thomas, VP of global marketing for Cinnabon said in a statement to TheWrap. “Our intention was to pay respect through an image we created in her honor for Star Wars Day 2016. We are sorry our tweet appeared disrespectful to some and it has been taken down.”