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Frank Ocean, Chipotle Feud: Singer Shares “F— YOU” Check, Company Claims Money Wasn’t Returned

Frank Ocean
Frank Ocean posted a photo of a check, presumably meant for Chipotle, but the company claims it hasn't received the money.

Chipotle beef! Singer Frank Ocean is currently in the middle of a "meaty" feud with Chipotle Mexican Grill. The "Thinkin Bout You" crooner, 26, was sued by the chain on Friday, March 7 after he failed to return the company's $212,500 advance. Ocean received the money in July 2013 to record his rendition of the popular Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory tune "Pure Imagination" for Chipotle's ad campaign. 

Related: PHOTOS: Biggest celebrity feuds ever

Ocean backed out of campaign, called "The Scarecrow," which was meant to promote local and sustainably-sourced food after noticing that Chipotle's logo was featured at the end of the more than three-minute clip. 

"When Frank was asked to participate in this project, Chipotle's representatives told him that the thrust of the campaign was to promote responsible farming," Ocean's legal team wrote in a letter in August 2013. "There was no Chipotle reference or logo in the initial presentation, and Chipotle told Frank that was an intentional element of the campaign. Frank was also promised that he'd have the right to approve the master and all advertising."

Related: PHOTOS: Celebrity meltdowns and scandals in 2013

The Grammy winner seems to have returned the Mexican food chain's money, posting a picture of a check with the exact amount due to his official tumblr page. In the memo line, there's a hand-written "F— OFF." 

But a rep for Chipotle could not confirm the check's arrival, telling The Hollywood Reporter, "We've seen the photo, but haven't received a check."

Related: PHOTOS: Out and proud stars

Fiona Apple later covered the song for the animated short film, which received more than 12 million views since it was released in September 2013.  

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