It’s common to see a bunch of celebrities in commercials during the Super Bowl, but sometimes they pop up during other times of the year. Even if they’re starring in a pretty big TV show, a commercial deal is often too good to pass up.
But, the problem with commercials is that they last a long time. Thanks to YouTube, commercials technically stay in rotation even after a product is no longer available. It’s far more common to see an old ad pop up online than a short-lived reality show, so celebrities can almost consider commercial deals to be lifelong endorsements.
Often times, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s rare for a product to suddenly get a lot of bad press. But for some people like Kendall Jenner, it’s possible that the commercial may be misinterpreted, or perhaps it hits people the wrong way. You probably recall that Jenner was prominently featured in a Pepsi commercial back in 2017 that was pulled from the air just one day after it was released, since it sent a bad message. (But seriously — why didn’t Pepsi stop and think about whether or not the reality star ending a protest with soda was a bad idea?)
Here are more questionable commercials starring some of our favorite celebrities.
1. Snoop Dogg for Hot Pockets
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA9ME3qbKHc"]Back in 2012 and 2013, Snoop Dogg released a few raps about Hot Pockets.
They’re catchy, but a little strange — and way longer than a television ad, meaning they were meant to go viral online. If “eating Hot Pockets with Snoop Dogg” is now on your bucket list, you’re not the only one.
2. Psy for Pistachios
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKn_7fyB5fw"]Remember when Psy had the biggest hit song, “Gangnam Style,” back in 2012?
Well, he took his fame and used it to sell nuts — in a pistachio-green suit no less. Because why not? It’s a little cringeworthy, but at least it’s for a good product. Plus, the commercial has Psy showing viewers how to crack open pistachios “Gangnam-style,” meaning that it’s also educational.
3. Hugh Jackman for Lipton Iced Tea
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8ze0dJFd-M&t=13s"]This fun little ad was filmed in Japan.
While it’s always a thrill to watch Hugh Jackman bust a move, it’s not all that clear that they’re trying to sell tea. “For Tokyo Dancing Hotel you see an image of Hugh Jackman standing, dancing on water with two Japanese girls in a rooftop garden and that single image becomes iconic and something that people will always reference back to Lipton,” Michael Gracey, the commercial’s director, told The Guardian. Interesting…
4. Brad Pitt for Pringles
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXMFdc_HC5c"]Pitt reportedly uses his Pringles can to scope out women in bikinis, which definitely would not fly today.
This ad is definitely dated, but it’s so similar to what other commercials from the early ’90s were all about. (And for the record, his career was just starting to take off when this was filmed.)
5. Ben Stiller for Kirin Fruit Beer
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpVkXajVFH4"]Talk about awkward.
This Japanese commercial for Kirin looks like something Zoolander would create. Still, this ad is so goofy that I can easily see it being a classic. It starts with Ben Stiller popping out from behind some pom-poms, throwing a lemon in the air before it turns to droplets, becoming frozen, and then being tackled by a bunch of football players. Yes, really.
6. Jessica and Ashlee Simpson for Pizza Hut
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNZpOpko0Hk"]Remember when Jessica Simpson had a reality show and accidentally asked whether or not tuna was chicken?
That blunder led to a lot of ridicule — and this ad. Poor Jessica, but hey — at least she got an ad deal out of it. We all have moments like that, but they’re usually not televised (and we’re usually not paid for them).
7. Jason Alexander for McDonald’s
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh1kmVwS4Hw"]Before he was George Costanza, he was a guy in a white jacket who seemed really excited by McDonald’s new McDLT.
Unfortunately, the burger didn’t last very long — but that probably had more to do with the awkward packaging than Jason Alexander’s dance moves. He really did do his best.
8. Julia Roberts for Lavazza Coffee
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peftYqGlYpY"]This international commercial was a fairly easy gig for Julia Roberts.
Literally, all she had to do was pose, drink espresso, smile, and wink. But to be fair, her smile does speak a thousand words. She also had to laugh after pretending to understand what a bunch of Italian men were saying, which probably wasn’t super fun.
9. *NSYNC For Chili’s
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj12NetdPlw"]The guys in *NSYNC are serious about their baby back ribs. I mean, who isn’t?
This commercial actually takes a grisly turn, which you may have forgotten about. Luckily, Joey Fatone has always been known for having a sense of humor, so he was probably totally cool with being crushed by a giant crate dropped from the sky.
10. Kendall Jenner for Pepsi
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwvAgDCOdU4"]I mentioned it before, but this one has to officially be on the list.
Kendall Jenner recovered from this, but a celebrity who isn’t in the Kardashian empire might not have been so lucky. Let’s just get this straight — Pepsi is good, but handing a Pepsi to a cop during a rally won’t solve any problems. In fact, it might create additional problems.
11. Meg Ryan for Burger King
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ1H_zZHuGs"]At the very start of her acting career, Meg Ryan starred in this Burger King commercial.
It’s more adorable than awkward, but do you think she had any idea that it’d be preserved and viewed in 2019? Probably not. Though it is from 1982, Meg is seriously making us crave a Whopper and a Coke right about now.
12. Britney Spears for Mikakuto Gummy Candy
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIntO6yCflI"]This international commercial, on the other hand, is more awkward than adorable.
Britney Spears manages to get out her Japanese line pretty flawlessly, but the “dancing on the airplane” segment might make you grit your teeth. It’s almost like a poor man’s “Toxic” music video, but still looks like a ’90s dream.
13. Jennifer Aniston for Heineken
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTi4ZvPCDoE"]Sure, it’s probably not a great thing that the guy in this international commercial is giving off predator vibes at first.
But in the end, we see his real motivation. Why not just help poor, short Jennifer Aniston without the sexual undertone? Yes, it ends on a funny note — but the creepy vibes are not welcome.
14. David Duchovny for Siberian Crown
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5tMYyopMf8"]David Duchovny also filmed beer commercials overseas. Because at this point, who hasn’t?
This one is a little cringeworthy, since his vocal acting is a bit stunted. Also, he imagines his life as a Russian, which feels a bit stereotypical. And does anyone else feel weird about the part where he’s interacting with the ballerina? Okay then.
15. Shakira for Activia
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etjhtRPN__0"]Did you know that when you eat an Activia yogurt, multiple belly dancing Shakira’s appear in your stomach?
This commercial seems a little dated, but it only came out in 2014, which was only 5 years ago. Shakira looks happy and great, but the commercial, called “Dare to Feel Food,” is still tough for us to wrap our heads around.
16. Madonna for Takara
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q3TTgcbRjA"]If you’re in the mood for sake, Madonna has a recommendation.
This international commercial is quite strange. If you’ve ever wanted to see a flawless, almost-too-easy sword fight between Madonna and a gold dragon, you’re in the right place. And if you also want to here Madonna asking, “How can I be pure?”, you’re also in the right place.
17. Uma Thurman for Schweppes
[fm_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juDuVT2goxs"]This European ad features a glammed-out Uma Thurman really driving the point home that maybe, just maybe, if you say Schweppes enough it kinda-sorta sounds like sex.
It’s pretty awkward, and fits into the category of “I hope my parents aren’t in the room when this airs.” It’s also kinda unnecessary — especially for Schweppes.
