Auburn Hills boutique receives backlash after accidentally emailing job applicant, saying she is ‘not that cute’

Woman shares email in now viral video on TikTok; owners issue apology

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – A case of an accidental email resulted in retaliation against an Auburn Hills boutique.

The email has Ava Lane Boutique Vice President Chuck DeGrendel in hot water after he commented on an applicant, saying she wasn’t “that cute.” It was a message intended for his wife and boutique owner, Laura.

“This girl is fresh out of (Hope college) and not that cute. She applied to the sales model position. Are you sure you want me to interview her?” read the email sent on Wednesday.

The woman who applied for the position shared the message on TikTok. The video has gone viral, and the backlash was immediate.

The DeGrendels took to their boutique’s Facebook page to apologize.

While many have gone to Google reviews with comments, the owners said others have shared their phone numbers and address, and threatened the family.

Watch the video above for the full report.

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Jason is Local 4’s utility infielder. In addition to anchoring the morning newscast, he often reports on a variety of stories from the tragic, like the shootings at Michigan State, to the off-beat, like great gas station food.