Kendall Jenner's Pepsi Protest Commercial Sparks Social Media Outrage

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Pepsi may have intended to spread a message of peace and empowerment in their "Live For Now" commercial starring Kendall Jenner, but not everyone sees it that way.

The ad instead caused some controversy for showing Jenner ending a protest by sharing a Pepsi with a police officer. Once the officer drinks the beverage, the crowd starts cheering.


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After the commercial earlier this week, a Twitter backlash erupted, with some threatening to boycott the soft drink company, while others accused the brand of mocking the Black Lives Matter movement. "I'm boycotting all @Pepsi products until they apologize for this blasphemy," one Twitter user declared.

Girls star Lena Dunham also took issue with the commercial, tweeting: "Assuming everything that can be said about faux-test Pepsi ad has been said, so I'm just gonna go with this: It didn't make me want Pepsi."

Other tweets slammed Jenner's involvement with the ad. "How nice of Kendall Jenner to stop in the middle of her photo shoot to end social injustices by giving that cop a Pepsi ? MLK who? Rosa who?" read one tweet.

"So according to @KendallJenner and @pepsi the racial tension problem is just a matter of thirsty cops," another Twitter user lamented.

One of Jenner's followers responded to the 21-year-old model's promotional tweet about the commercial, writing: "@KendallJenner @pepsi shocked + confused why @pepsi and @KendallJenner EVER thought this would be an effective/powerful ad campaign. Tasteless and offensive."


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Another commenter touted: "I can't believe Kendall Jenner ended police brutality and white supremacy with a can of Pepsi not bad for a girl with no talent."

Pepsi responded to the backlash, telling AdWeek in a statement: "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.”

In a press release for the commercial, Pepsi said the ad intended to capture the "spirit and actions of those people that jump in to every moment."


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"It features multiple lives, stories and emotional connections that show passion, joy, unbound and uninhibited moments," the press release stated. "No matter the occasion, big or small, these are the moments that make us feel alive."

Jenner also spoke about the message of the commercial in a behind-the-scenes Q&A. "I think it’s an honor to follow some of the most iconic peoples’ footsteps. It’s really cool and I’m really excited about it," she said. "It’s a dream come true. I’ve always dreamed to be a part of some kind of commercial. To be a part of Pepsi is awesome."

"I always try to stop myself and take a step back and really be in the moment," Jenner added. "I love spontaneity and just picking up and doing something when I have a moment to do. But it’s also just surrounding yourself with things you love."


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Skip Marley, the grandson of Bob Marley, loaned his song, "Lions," to the commercial, and was also proud of the ad at the time of its release. "Standing together and being unified in the moment is a powerful experience," he said in the Pepsi press release. "This song ‘Lions’ that Pepsi selected for the ‘Moments’ ad should remind our generation to look at the way you are living and find strength and calm in each moment.”

ET has reached out to Jenner and Pepsi for comment.

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