SoulCycle to offer classes supporting 'social justice causes' after 'difficult' week
SoulCycle is offering free classes that will benefit "social justice causes" after coming under fire for its owner's support of President Trump, The Daily Beast reports.
The fitness company's CEO, Melanie Whelan, in an email on Friday said it had been a "difficult" week following days of controversy over reports that its billionaire owner Stephen Ross would hold a Trump fundraiser. Whelan goes on to write that instructors are now being invited to teach a free class supporting a cause that is "true in their heart."
"We've spent 13 years building a community based on diversity, inclusion, acceptance and love," Whelan writes. "We know who we are, we know what we believe, and we deliver on those values every day. This is about our values. So today, we are responding in the best way we know how — with diversity, inclusion, acceptance, and love."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Whelan adds that this will be a way that "our community can start to heal."
Reports that the owner of SoulCycle, as well as the fitness company Equinox, planned to fundraise for Trump drew outrage and calls for boycotts this week, with Ross releasing a statement saying that he is an "outspoken champion of racial equality, inclusion, diversity, public education and environmental sustainability."
Ross, Axios reported on Friday, has been "freaked out" by the backlash to his fundraiser and considered calling it off. But Trump insists he has nothing to worry about, saying on Friday that "the controversy makes Steve Ross hotter. He'll figure that out in about a week."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
The best homes of the year
Feature Featuring a grand turret entrance in New York and built-in glass elevator in Arizona
By The Week Staff Published
-
Nordstrom family, investor to take retail chain private
Speed Read The business will be acquired by members of the family and El Puerto de Liverpool, a Mexican real estate company
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden commutes most federal death sentences
Speed Read The president downgraded the punishment of 37 of 40 prisoners on death row to life in prison without parole
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Judges block $25B Kroger-Albertsons merger
Speed Read The proposed merger between the supermarket giants was stalled when judges overseeing two separate cases blocked the deal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Rupert Murdoch loses 'Succession' court battle
Speed Read Murdoch wanted to give full control of his empire to son Lachlan, ensuring Fox News' right-wing editorial slant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bitcoin surges above $100k in post-election rally
Speed Read Investors are betting that the incoming Trump administration will embrace crypto
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Enron mystery: 'sick joke' or serious revival?
Speed Read 23 years after its bankruptcy filing, the Texas energy firm has announced its resurrection
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US charges Indian tycoon with bribery, fraud
Speed Read Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his role in a $265 million scheme to secure solar energy deals
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published