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April 3rd, 2012
09:35 AM ET
Mary J. Blige sings about chicken for Burger KingR&B superstar Mary J. Blige might rue the day she agreed to sing about Burger King's “crispy chicken” snack wrap with “three cheeses.” That’s because her new commercial for the fast-food chain, which is revamping its menu, has been met with some backlash. (The commercial also appears to be missing from Burger King's YouTube channel.) In the recently released clip, the nine-time Grammy winner can be seen sporting a short wig, leather jacket and shades, rocking to the beat of her own song, “Don’t Mind,” off her latest album “My Life II...The Journey Continues.”
But she’s altered the lyrics to reflect her pitchwoman duties, singing about “crispy chicken, fresh lettuce, three cheeses, ranch dressing, wrapped up in a tasty flour tortilla.” The media's taken notice of the 30-second spot, and so have fans. Many have taken to social media sites to express their surprise (and dismay) that someone with so much clout would agree to do such a thing - especially peddling chicken, which some say feeds into a stereotype. But Mary’s not the only one on this celebrity gravy train: Salma Hayek, David Beckham and Jay Leno are all featured in new Burger King commercials, and Sofia Vergara and Steven Tyler are expected to do spots as well. Burger King's Senior Vice President of North America Marketing, Alex Macedo, told AdAge that the commercials were created to grab attention to the company's menu expansion, and well, this one has, at least. "The big challenge is how do you really grab people's attention?" Macedo said. "And most of all, how do you get them to taste the product? We chose celebrities to get people's attention faster and to show the diversity that we have with our brand."
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Singing the National anthem at Madison Square Garden http://youtu.be/Pv40S_1PEM4
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv40S_1PEM4&w=420&h=315%5D
I'm black and love chicken like most white folks. I don't understand how the ad is racist. I love Mary, but the commercial is stupid like most commercials on TV. She looks like a chicken nugget singing. If you paid me 2 million to sing in a commercial I would surely be up there breaking dancing and singing while you are sitting at home watching me on TV. LOL
I agree with smoothn2U – people need to just get over this crap. She's a good singer and its good exposure for her and for BK – why not? And I'm a white woman and I love fried chicken and watermelon – so they can stuff their stereotypes too.
II don't get it. A black woman sings about chicken and people claim it's sterotypical of black people. Yet they can use the N word in songs and it's okay but let someone other than an black person use it and it's racist. I'm white...I like chicken. I want to hear the song because I'm wondering what's different from singing an advertisement about chicken and how that is different than for instance KFC's advertisement. I guess I just have to hear the song and then maybe I'd understand.
Blacks are real morons. If I were Burger King or KFC or Popeye's I'd say "FINE, we will no longer put any black in any of our commercials. We shouldn't even hire them either.....it's too offensive."
What is the big deal? So certain ethnic groups like FRIED chicken and watermelon? BFD bunch of racists. A RACIST is ANYONE who sees things in terms of RACE instead of seeing things how they really are.
As an african american woman and a fan of MJB I do not have a problem with the content of the comercial. I have a problem that she looks whack. I thought she was over the tacky look but I guess not.
That's funny... I think they may have over did her for this one...
As a chicken, I'm glad the commercial was pulled.
Why do we have to walk on egg shells? Everything is offensive! So commercials involving chicken can't use black people because a group of sensitive people get offended. The ones that get offended over something like this are the ones that are feeding into this stereotype. The ones that got offended probably had a bucket of chicken on their lap when this commercial came on and they felt like idiots haha
What does Mary J say? She must not have taken offense to it, so agreed to be in the ad. I think some people need to get a life and stop over thinking EVERYTHING.
Oh please! Squalling about a woman of color singing about chicken is totally ignorant! So what, no black people are allowed to eat chicken, watermelon, collard greens, or any other 'slave' foods? Get real you losers.
OMG... this is soooo ridiculous.!!!!!!!! Why do we always have to think in terms of color? She did not do anything wrong!
I've never understood the "black people like fried chicken" stereotype. Who DOESN'T love fried chicken?
Here we go again...CNN reporting a bunch of supposed 'racist' things against blacks. Trayvon, I get, but Tyler Perry screaming about getting pulled over for making an illegal turn and now CNN is saying people are upset about Mary J. Blige singing about chicken? What? Black people can't ever do ads for chicken because there's the stereotype of them eating chicken? Uh, did CNN forget that Mary J. agreed to do the damn ad in the first place?
everyone knows that if 3 white people see a black person eating chicken in the same day, that a pot of gold has to be given to each of them- so black people really dislike being seen eating chicken
they ran out of gold a long long long time ago and only have enough left for teeth
How is a black woman being in an ad for a chicken sandwich being racist? If BK only put white males in their commercials, someone would scream racism that a person of color isnt in it!! And what about McDonalds and the McRib? If John Q Milquetoast did a commercial eating a McRib, people would laugh. Yes, we know the demographic that likes them the most!!! Get over yourselves.
OMG!!! Do you people have to make everything racist!!! Get over it!!!!
Isn't it more racist to think this is racist just because it features an African American and chicken? If there is a problem with this ad, then Popeye's needs to consider pulling their ads too!
I think she got paid $4 million for them ads. She ain't crying and accusing racism!
Anyone who is offended by what Mary Blige did should be shot on general principle. Seriously, if you are offended by this, get a gun, walk outside and shoot yourself in the head because you are too stupid to live.
This proves there's no shortage of stupid people in the world.
I watched the commercial after seeing this story on CNN a little while ago, saying there were complaints about racist undertones and expected to see something at least moderately offensive or racist. But all I saw was a woman singing about a chicken wrap. So what? There are no racial undertones at all. Sometimes things are exactly as you see them and nothing more, people.
Here's an idea, how about BK looking for celebrities to do their new commercial and one of them is MJB.
MJB is a grown woman, Im sure that if she felt that there was anyt hint of racism in the process, she would've said no. Regardless of how much money it involves.
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Well, speaking of Stereotypical Shirts . . . here is a fun collection for everyone. I'm a collector.
I love chicken, fried or otherwise. I am white. People need to quit seeing racism around every corner.
Left you a review. I suggest everyone do the same.
Ugggghhhhhh!!!! This is so stupid. Who cares if she's a black selling chicken for a BK. MJ is making millions for this 30 second spot. No one is complaining about the black woman in the Popeye's commercial.
Type DerrickDuffie into your web browser to visit my website and learn about my new novel, Unfinished Business.
Whoppers are ok, better than big macs!
Good for Mary J, lots of people eat chicken sandwiches, not just black folk.
and no it is not health food but if u don't overdo, it's okay to indulge.
Quit looking to be offended when there is no cause.
and you must be the caviar and Dom Perignon type .
they need to put watermelon 'n' chitlins on the menu, too. and Colt 45 to wash it down with!
Knuckle head what decade are you living in?Colt 45 are you kidding?I'll bet you've never seen a black person take a drink of that stuff.You just keep up your Marlboro and mayonnaise sandwiches and Busch beer.
I don't see anything wrong with this commercial. If it's racist, it's racist against white and black people because the white dude asked for the chicken wrap.
Sing it, tough girl. "Crispy chicken, mayo, lettuce..." I'm so impressed I think I stick around and wait for her to sell me on apple pies. And she knows she done stupid, so embarassed she backtracking the viewing of her commercial on the web at lightspeed.
Why don't you figure out how to become a millionaire and stop hating Afrian Americans that have.
D0000000DEY milkshakes for everyone. We are out of school for Spring Break!
Another one bites commoness, takes the commercial payout as rapstar goes the weasel.
No guts for maintaining what you sing about=no integrity.
Money's too powerful, too slick a take-all for perserving identiy.
What would your broke a55 know about money?Shut your stupid mouth and learn how to sweep a Burger King floor.
Buncha racist oppressing us. Holding us back.
I'd say your name is holding you back more.
Also hilarious that UMG has blocked it in the US.
This is the most racist commercial I've ever seen. She mights as well be singing about watermelon, picking cotton, and wishing she were back in Dixie. This has set us back decades.
New York,not dixie you redneck.
Not even going to explain to you how stupid what you have just said is. I'll pray for you,to read a book or otherwise educate yourself.
You need prayer for judging a troll for being a troll.
As a "black" woman, my people need to lighten up, you are seeing racism under every rock. Chill!
I think it's racist to say African Americans are prohibited from singing about fried chicken or setting back the clock because of their skin color. Everybody loves fried chicken.
Set you back decades?
It's a commercial about a crispy chicken wrap. If that's all it takes to set you back decades, then you weren't all that far forward to being with.
How is this racist? This is no different than the black woman on the Popeye's commercial selling chicken, but you don't hear anyone complaining about that!
You gotta be kidden me lucy! You are ignorant.
It's not that she is promoting chicken, or anything like that it's the singing part. It's like she is a slave singing for a meal. Stop it Mary! Stop it Burger King!
Well that is a goofy post. : ).
Get over yourself (like a slave singing for a meal that's a bunch of B$) she is doing what she does singing and getting paid to do it. I'm so sick of everyone wanting to place a label to stereotype ones efforts when it goes against their own personal agenda to create an atmosphere of alleged racism! Oh and by the way I am a Black man speaking to you on this issues that you want to placate to the masses.
Well played.
SLAVE? she willfully entered into a CONTRACT for TWO MILLION DOLLARS. slave? give me a break.
You are joking right? I mean come on people it is a freaking commercial! Why is it if a white person sang the same thing it would be ok but just cause shes black she cant sing in a commercial about chicken. Is the American people getting so petty that this is news? Get a life people and stop looking for things to B!!ch about!
....LMBO! agreed just don't get it smh
Why should I be ashamed of eating chicken?I love it,I also love pizza,steak,ham,salmons,red snapper and watermelon,honey dew,cantaloupe,see where i'm going with this.Insecure people may not like the beautiful 'hip hop queen'doing a Burger King chicken sandwich commercial but I love it.Like Dave said,I wish I could get paid to do a chicken spot.lol
HEY ! Cartman ate all the skin off the KFC ! I' m telling !
That's soul food anyone can enjoy. They should also sell watermelon, that would be ideal. But then again KFC should be doing the same!
I love watermelon. It's a little messy to eat but is a fun summertime treat ! : ). My grandma always made us eat it outside on the pic-nic table. Too many flies and bees when ya do that.
She is a hero. Chicken is healthy and good. I wish someone would pay me to do something like that.
Chicken is ok but it isnt up there with bacon. People need to sing about the magical wonders and delicious goodness of bacon. It is natures miracle food.
Fried chicken is healthy?
*grabs popcorn, and helmet*
Don't black people like chicken? Burger King was just trying to appeal to the people that would buy it the most.