In a conference room deep inside Pepsi HQ, someone is being screamed at as we speak.
The company’s facing huge backlash over its new commercial, which stars Kendall Jenner as a bewigged model who abandons her glam photoshoot to join a roaming protest passing through the street. Because priorities and she knows what’s truly important in life.
Related: MUSIC: Le1f’s “Soda” Be Poppin’
For reasons that will become readily apparent to anyone who watches the two-and-a-half minute spot, people are accusing the soda company of trying to turn political protests into something trendy, fashionable, and ultimately superficial.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Pepsi defended the ad in a statement:
This is a global ad that reflects people from different walks of life coming together in a spirit of harmony, and we think that’s an important message to convey.
https://youtu.be/PCEm21aTh5Q
Of course, Twitter’s having none of it:
What @pepsi thought they were doing… pic.twitter.com/EdxAtGbKF7
— Andrew Hammond (@ahammsportsgeek) April 5, 2017
"Yo Kendall I'm gonna need you to get over here with a Pepsi" pic.twitter.com/2jT7pImZzr
— Petty Ann Conway (@weekend3warrior) April 5, 2017
Yikes! If you don’t like that #Pepsi commercial, you’re definitely not going to like @CocaCola‘s new ad pic.twitter.com/dnT6FSHiK3
— Coffee Positive (@MikeJungman) April 5, 2017
*maybe if i drink enough pepsi I won't get racially profiled n called a terrorist* pic.twitter.com/fwYhVllvVW
— Mohamed (@M0M1T0) April 5, 2017
Michael Jackson almost burned alive on the set of a Pepsi commercial and today that became the second worst moment in Pepsi history
— Russell (@RussellFalcon) April 5, 2017
"Fuck your Coca Co…" #Pepsi pic.twitter.com/K9JWcSVsDX
— Knockout Ned ? (@99JMS) April 5, 2017
@KendallJenner @pepsi pic.twitter.com/xUax3me5Ib
— Noname Gypsy (@jadorejontele) April 5, 2017
If only the girl on the bottom had a Pepsi pic.twitter.com/hrzUy90iuR
— coke (@wildd_child) April 5, 2017
Who among can forget when Kendall Jenner bravely passed out Pepsi’s & ended the Vietnam War!#PEPSI #pepvideo pic.twitter.com/AkxfdbiZDb
— Vizual Ambassador (@MannyBuckley) April 5, 2017
Us: Kendall come march with us for injustice and our rights!
Kendall: pic.twitter.com/Fi42fgJvgu
— Russell (@RussellFalcon) April 5, 2017
J. Edgar Hoover takes aim from the grassy knoll. The motorcade approaches. He fires. JFK raises a #Pepsi to his lips, blocks the bullet.
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) April 5, 2017
1EqualityUSA
Accurate and beautifully done. This message threatens the haters so foul. Love it.
ChrisK
Entitled rich model from entitled rich family slugging sugary crap for rich corporation. Yeah, that speaks of resist alright.
1EqualityUSA
“The Times they Are A-Changing.”
Bob Dylan–
Come gather around people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone
And if your breath to you is worth saving
Then you better start swimming, or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changing
Come, writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won’t come again
And don’t speak too soon
For the wheel’s still in spin
And there’s no telling who that it’s naming
For the loser now will be later to win
Cause the times they are a-changing
Come, senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don’t stand in the doorway
Don’t block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There’s the battle outside raging
CaliKyle
So you’re one of them thar brainless trolls who belives all we need to achieve world peace is a karjennian, a kushner and a dang pepsi. I made an appointment for you all at a coliseum in downtown Rome. Please step into my time machine….
whatsaywhat
Could that family be any more disgusting? Just like her Mom… I mean Dad… she’s a rich, shallow, overexposed narcissist who doesn’t give a shit about social issues unless she’s getting paid to pretend.
DarkZephyr
Do you not get that when you toss in transphobia, any point you have becomes meaningless? You couldn’t critique that family without acting like a bigot? Really?
1EqualityUSA
The part where she ripped off the yellow wig and wiped her lipstick off as she approached the protesters was a nice touch. Read the article submitted below. It’s happening people. The GOP is breaking the rules to cling onto Gorsuch, despicable. Merrick Garland should have been given a review. The GOP is out of control. Squash them in 2018.
whatsaywhat
Who said anything about trans anything? I was making a point about her mom Kris and her dad Caitlin. Grow up.
1EqualityUSA
“Pave it Blue” In Georgia, anti-Trump activism stirs democratic hope– exciting stuff:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/04/us/georgia-special-election-jon-ossoff.html?&moduleDetail=section-news-0&action=click&contentCollection=U.S.®ion=Footer&module=MoreInSection&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&pgtype=article
BriBri
Eligible outraged participants are qualified to receive pre-pooped diapers from Pepsi. Call 1-800-Ishitmyself.
paul dorian lord fredine
they must have paid her a lot of money. it certainly wasn’t for her talent.
MediaGuy
Pepsi just announced they pulled the ad. And it’s now off the Queerty site too. Oh well.
He BGB
Pepsi give up. Coca cola is always #1. You can throw millions at a a rich celebrity every now and then but it doesn’t change anything. It all tastes terrible and will kill you.
Terrycloth
Kendall & “celebrity ” …oxymoron…I like my celebs to have some talent…
OzJosh
Is there any evidence this bimbo ever protested about anything in her entire life?
1EqualityUSA
If you lined up five women and asked me to pick out the child, I’d have a 20 percent chance of getting it right. I saw a Muslim woman grabbing her camera and showing strength in adversity. I saw all age groups and ethnicities speaking out and joining and communicating with their attendance how off the rails the Republicans are. It’s exciting to see it happening in real life. Reflecting it in an ad was powerful and nothing for which apologies are necessary. It touches nerves because it’s true and the nation is waking up. Now pardon me, my time machine is idling.
kehvan
As if [i]Twitter[/i] is some monolith with a singular mind.