A Cinnabon employee, Crystal Wilsey, has been terminated after a video showing her using offensive language toward two customers went viral on social media.
The video, recorded by one of the patrons, shows the confrontation escalating after one customer asked Wilsey, “Does sexualizing your body make you a better person?”
An irritated Wilsey asked if she was being recorded, and when confirmed, she responded, “I am racist and I will say that to the whole entire world. You are disrespectful,” while making inappropriate gestures and yelling obscenities.
Cinnabon condemned the employee’s actions, stating on Instagram, “The former employee was immediately terminated by the franchise owner. Their actions do not reflect our values or the welcoming experience every guest deserves.”
According to TMZ, Sabrina Osman, a cousin of the customers, set up a GoFundMe page to help cover potential legal fees.
She claimed the incident began after her cousin ordered a caramel pecan cinnamon roll and was dissatisfied with the amount of caramel, prompting Wilsey to allegedly make offensive comments about her hijab.
The campaign aimed to raise Sh5.8 million ($45,000) for litigation, though details of the planned lawsuit remain unspecified.
Meanwhile, another GoFundMe titled “Stand With Crystal” raised over Sh381,394 ($2,949) in support of Wilsey.
Its description claims, “A Cinnabon worker in Wisconsin was filmed after getting harassed by a Somali couple. After the video gained traction, the franchise fired her. We stand with Crystal to make America Great Again!”
Social media reactions have been mixed. Anthony wrote on Instagram, “Someone needs to tell her that it’s not the immigrants’ fault that she’s 45 years old and working at a Cinnabon.”
Others condemned her behavior, with Delaney commenting, “Even if the couple antagonized her first, this doesn’t warrant her being this disrespectful.”