The so-called "Peloton Girl" is back and apparently needs a good, stiff drink—or at least that's how she's portrayed in a new Aviation Gin commercial, Marie Claire reports. It opens with the actress, Monica Ruiz, looking traumatized before she and two girlfriends toast "to new beginnings." Ruiz downs her martini in one shot, prompting one friend to quip, "Here you go, take this too," and pushing over her own drink. Seems Ryan Reynolds and his people at Aviation Gin found Ruiz after she appeared in a Peloton commercial that was widely panned as sexist. In that one, she played a skinny housewife who feverishly tried to get "in shape" after her husband gifted her a Peloton stationary bike. For more, including Peloton's response:
- Reaction: Supportive quotes are appearing on Twitter, like "This should be used as an example of how social media ads should be done in the viral culture age" and "Okay someone on your team deserves a raise," per Today. Of course, there's dissent: "She must had [sic] seen Green Lantern," quips a commenter on YouTube.
- Reynolds: He confirmed the Peloton link by tweeting Friday, "Exercise bike not included #AviationGin," along with the 41-second ad.
- Play on words: Plus the Aviation commercial is called "The Gift That Doesn't Give Back," an obvious play on Peloton's offering, "The Gift That Gives Back," notes Fox Business.
- Peloton: "Our holiday spot was created to celebrate that fitness and wellness journey," the company told People. "While we're disappointed in how some have misinterpreted this commercial, we are encouraged by—and grateful for—the outpouring of support we’ve received from those who understand what we were trying to communicate."
- Shares: Meanwhile, Peloton stock has fallen 13.6% since Monday, but Yahoo Finance says the company might have been ready for a drop after rising 47.5% in a month. The company has done well since issuing an IPO in September.
- Patriarchy: "My image is being associated with sexism, with the patriarchy, with abuse, for example," the male actor in the Peloton ad, Sean Hunter, said Friday on Good Morning America, per Time. "That's not who I am." He also told Psychology Today that he wonders if he'll "be able to continue auditioning for commercials without any taint."
(Take a look at the original
Peloton commercial.)
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