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5 Shocking Mistakes In The Pepsi Ad That Got Kendall Jenner Canceled

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The infamous Pepsi commercial starring a member of the Jenner family remains one of the most significant marketing disasters of the 21st century. While many recall the event and often confuse the star as Kylie Jenner, it was actually supermodel Kendall Jenner who found herself at the center of a global firestorm in April 2017. This article, updated for December 2025, dissects the commercial, the overwhelming public backlash, and the long-term lessons that marketing executives are still learning today.

The "Live for Now" campaign was intended to be an anthem of unity and peace, but it quickly became a textbook example of corporate tone-deafness, trivializing critical social and political issues like the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. The ad was pulled within 24 hours, but its legacy as a public relations nightmare endures, serving as a powerful warning about cultural appropriation and the commodification of social justice.

Kendall Nicole Jenner: Model, Media Personality, and PR Case Study

The controversy surrounding the Pepsi ad is inextricably linked to the persona of its star, Kendall Jenner. Her background as a privileged, white, reality TV personality was a major factor in the public's perception of the commercial's message.

  • Full Name: Kendall Nicole Jenner
  • Born: November 3, 1995 (Los Angeles, California)
  • Parents: Kris Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce Jenner)
  • Siblings: Kylie Jenner (full sister); Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob Kardashian (half-siblings)
  • Career Start: Rose to fame on the reality television show Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2007–2021).
  • Modeling Career: Began modeling at age 14. By the mid-2010s, she was one of the world's highest-paid supermodels, walking for major fashion houses like Chanel, Marc Jacobs, and Fendi.
  • Business Ventures: Co-founded the clothing line Kendall + Kylie with her sister Kylie Jenner.
  • Public Image: Known for her reserved demeanor compared to her sisters, but her high-profile status and immense wealth often make her a target for criticism regarding social and political awareness.

The 5 Core Reasons the Pepsi Ad Was a Catastrophic Failure

The two-and-a-half-minute commercial, released in April 2017, showed Kendall Jenner participating in a stylized, diverse street protest. The ad climaxed with Jenner, having abandoned her modeling shoot, handing a can of Pepsi to a stoic police officer, which instantly diffused the tension and sparked applause from the protestors. The public reaction was immediate and overwhelmingly negative.

1. Trivialization of the Black Lives Matter Movement

This was the primary source of the backlash. The commercial’s imagery—including shots of diverse crowds, generic protest signs, and a tense confrontation with law enforcement—directly mirrored real-life social justice movements, most notably Black Lives Matter (BLM). Critics argued that the ad reduced the serious issues of police brutality, racial inequality, and political unrest to a simple, solvable marketing opportunity. The idea that a can of soda could resolve deep-seated systemic issues was widely deemed insulting and offensive.

2. Cultural Appropriation and White Saviorism

The ad was heavily criticized for cultural appropriation. It co-opted the aesthetic and emotional weight of legitimate protest movements, which are often led by marginalized communities, and used them to sell a product. Furthermore, the narrative positioned a privileged white supermodel, Kendall Jenner, as the "white savior" who single-handedly brought peace between protestors and police with a soft drink. This trope was seen as deeply problematic, ignoring the genuine dangers and sacrifices made by real activists.

3. Tone-Deafness from PepsiCo’s Marketing Team

The most shocking element for many analysts was the apparent lack of awareness from PepsiCo’s creative team. The ad demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of the current socio-political climate. The company attempted to tap into the powerful themes of youth, unity, and activism without grasping the gravity of the issues they were referencing. This failure of oversight led to accusations that the corporation was simply trying to capitalize on social movements for profit, which severely damaged its brand reputation.

4. The Immediate and Humiliating Aftermath

The public condemnation was so fierce and widespread that PepsiCo was forced to act with unprecedented speed. The commercial was released on a Tuesday and pulled from all platforms by Wednesday afternoon—less than 24 hours later. PepsiCo issued an official apology, stating, "Pepsi was trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding. Clearly, we missed the mark, and we apologize." They also specifically apologized to Kendall Jenner for putting her in this position.

5. Kendall Jenner’s Emotional Response and Apology

The incident had a significant personal impact on the model. Kendall Jenner remained silent for months, but later tearfully addressed the controversy on her reality show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians. She expressed deep regret and emotional distress over the backlash, stating that she "felt so stupid" and that she "genuinely felt like s**t" for her involvement. Her public apology acknowledged the insensitivity of the ad, although many critics argued that the primary responsibility lay with the corporate giant, PepsiCo, and the ad agency, not the celebrity talent.

The Lasting Legacy: A Marketing Case Study in December 2025

Despite the ad being pulled nearly a decade ago, the Kendall Jenner Pepsi commercial is still taught in business schools and used as a prime example of a catastrophic PR failure. The case study highlights several enduring lessons for modern brands, particularly in the age of rapid social media response.

The primary takeaway is the danger of "woke washing"—the practice of superficially adopting social justice rhetoric without a genuine commitment to the underlying issues. The incident underscores the critical need for brands to conduct thorough cultural sensitivity reviews and to ensure that their creative teams are diverse enough to spot potential offense before an ad goes live.

For the Jenner family, the ad is a constant reminder of the scrutiny that comes with their level of fame, which is why the public often incorrectly searches for the "pepsi kylie jenner ad," confusing the sisters involved in the controversy. The family's brand power survived the crisis, but the Pepsi commercial remains a permanent black mark in the history of celebrity endorsements and corporate advertising. The fiasco serves as a powerful, evergreen lesson that authentic connection and respect for social movements are non-negotiable in contemporary marketing.

pepsi kylie jenner ad
pepsi kylie jenner ad

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