A recent incident on a Virgin Voyages cruise involving former Beyoncé dance captain Ashley Everett has brought the cruise line’s commitment to inclusivity under scrutiny. Everett initially claimed she was removed from a stage while dancing, sparking a conversation about the treatment of Black creators. However, the situation has since evolved with an apology from Everett and a detailed response from Virgin Voyages.
The Initial Claims and Virgin Voyages’ Response
Ashley Everett, a renowned dancer, took to social media platform Threads to express her frustration. She alleged that while on a content creator cruise, she was kicked off a DJ stage while dancing to Beyoncé’s hit song ‘Single Ladies.’ Everett felt this was due to a lack of acknowledgment for Black creators, stating she was removed after ‘complaining white folks’ were allowed on the same stage.
Virgin Voyages responded promptly, confirming awareness of the incident. They clarified that the decision to ask Everett and others to step down from the DJ stage was a safety-based measure, as the area is not typically open to guests for dancing. A spokesperson stated, “This was a safety-based decision made in the moment, not directed at any one individual.”
An Apology and Reassurance
The narrative shifted when Everett deleted her initial posts and issued an apology the following day. She explained that after gaining more clarity, she realized the situation involved other guests, not the Virgin Voyages team directly. Everett took responsibility for misdirecting her frustration and expressed her sincere apologies to the cruise line.
She added that she had an “amazing time overall” on the trip and appreciated the cruise line’s support in resolving the matter. Virgin Voyages reiterated its commitment to inclusivity, stating, “Our team reached out to Ashley during the voyage to listen and better understand her experience, because creating a welcoming, inclusive environment is core to who we are.”
A Successful Creator Event
Everett was part of a large group of over 1,000 creators invited to the Scarlet Lady ship for a three-night voyage from Miami to Bimini, in partnership with TikTok. The event was designed as an immersive, creator-led experience. Following Everett’s apology, Virgin Voyages noted the overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, with many creators, including Black participants, sharing successful trip highlights across social media.
The cruise line concluded by reaffirming its dedication: “We remain committed to making sure every Sailor feels respected while keeping our spaces safe for everyone on board.”
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