Kendall Jenner’s protest Pepsi spot prompts online backlash
Model and Kardashian clan member Kendall Jenner’s turn as a Pepsi-wielding protester has some on social media decrying the imagery as appropriation of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The “Live for Now Moments” video released Tuesday has Jenner in a platinum wig on a photo shoot when protesters amble by. She rips off her wig, smears away her lipstick and joins them, eventually handing an officer on the demonstration line a can of Pepsi. He gulps some down, and then grins as Jenner dances off with her new friends.
Reaction on social media ranged from some saying the imagery was tone-deaf, to it evoking a widely circulated photo of Black Lives Matter protester Leshia Evans last year in Louisiana. Evans was detained when she approached police at a demonstration in Baton Rouge.
In a statement late Tuesday night, Pepsi defended the ad.
“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,” the statement said.
Watch the ad below, and check out some of the online comments.
When the cops come and you only got Coca-Cola in the fridge pic.twitter.com/GWWO67bkMm
— Ira Madison III (@ira) April 4, 2017
*mcdonalds quietly shelves inspiring ad about little white boy sneaking chicken nuggets to the local immigrant family hiding in the woods*
— John DeVore (@JohnDeVore) April 5, 2017
We Talked to the Pepsi Cop and Asked Him What He Really Thinks About Black Lives Matter
— sarah hagi (@geekylonglegs) April 5, 2017
Imagine putting your life on the line like this to fight for justice only to have it parodied by a soda company and a Kardashian pic.twitter.com/g55s09owVf
— jamilah (@JamilahLemieux) April 4, 2017
The marketing team at #Pepsi, hurrying back to the office tonight: pic.twitter.com/JjleJYYJHL
— Eric Smith (@ericsmithrocks) April 5, 2017
kendall: why don't we offer those nice police men a refreshing beverage?
guy in background: pic.twitter.com/gMB7cqlMVP— Anna Fitzpatrick (@bananafitz) April 5, 2017
i said i was going to stop tweeting about the pepsi thing but i cant stop wondering what this guy's story is pic.twitter.com/RWjnTln5Sg
— Anna Fitzpatrick (@bananafitz) April 5, 2017
Next time @pepsi do one where Kendall Jenner marches to Montgomery but the cops don't bludgeon her bc she's white & has a refreshing @pepsi
— Jia Tolentino (@jiatolentino) April 4, 2017
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