Madeleine Hull
Over the years, Pepsi has had numerous celebrity endorsements, including from the world of acting. In the 1980s, Michael J. Fox starred in a series of Diet Pepsi commercials, including one with actress Gail O'Grady. In the 1990s, Ray Charles was the face of Diet Pepsi, and the Spice Girls became the face of Pepsi with the tagline Generation Next. Since then, many other celebrities have starred in Pepsi commercials, including Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and David Beckham. In 2024, American singer Addison Rae released a song called Diet Pepsi, which received widespread critical acclaim and charted in several countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Actress | Gail O'Grady |
| Year of Commercial | 1987 |
| Co-Star | Michael J. Fox |
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What You'll Learn
- Michael J. Fox and Gail O'Grady starred in a 1987 Diet Pepsi commercial
- Other celebrities who have starred in Diet Pepsi ads include Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and David Beckham
- In India, Pepsi has used actors like Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Aishwariya Rai to promote its product
- In Australia, Pepsi has been promoted by local celebrities including Kylie Minogue and Jennifer Hawkins
- Christina Aguilera signed with Pepsi in 2005, having previously promoted Coca-Cola
Michael J. Fox and Gail O'Grady starred in a 1987 Diet Pepsi commercial
In 1987, Michael J. Fox and Gail O'Grady starred in a Diet Pepsi commercial. The ad features Fox and O'Grady as roommates, with O'Grady's character asking to "borrow" a Diet Pepsi from Fox's character, a choice of wording that the writers likely made to make her more likeable. The commercial is also notable for its 1980s fashion, including shoulder pads, and for its light-hearted reference to Fox's diagnosis with Parkinson's disease.
The opening of the commercial also mimics a scene from the 1987 film The Secret of My Success, in which Fox's character slowly opens his apartment door to find his boss's wife. This Diet Pepsi ad has been described as "cool" and "a complete copy, scene-for-scene" when compared to the Indian version of a Pepsi ad from the 1990s.
Michael J. Fox, a well-known comedic actor, is recognised for his work in films such as The Secret of My Success and Flight of the Navigator. Fox's involvement in the Diet Pepsi commercial is considered memorable, with some viewers expressing surprise at seeing him in an advertisement.
Gail O'Grady, on the other hand, would go on to star in NYPD Blue after this commercial. Her role in the Diet Pepsi ad is noted for her beauty, with some viewers commenting on her "stunning" appearance.
The 1987 Diet Pepsi commercial featuring Michael J. Fox and Gail O'Grady has left a lasting impression on viewers, with many fondly recalling the ad and its reflection of the 1980s era.
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Other celebrities who have starred in Diet Pepsi ads include Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and David Beckham
The actress Gail O'Grady starred in a Diet Pepsi commercial alongside Michael J. Fox in 1987. Other celebrities who have featured in ads for the soft drink include Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and David Beckham.
In one of her most well-known pieces of work, Britney Spears appeared in a Pepsi advert alongside her sister, Jamie Lynn Spears. The commercial features Spears showing off her dance moves in front of a drive-in, wearing a crop top and low-rise bottoms. She also has fond memories of her sister, who was a tween at the time, being on set with her.
David Beckham, a British sports icon, also starred in a Diet Pepsi commercial. The ad shows Beckham kicking soccer balls into faraway garbage cans on a California beach. However, skeptics questioned the authenticity of the footage, claiming it must be some kind of high-tech fake. Despite the doubts, Beckham insisted that the video was real and that he spent five or six hours practising on the beach.
In addition to Spears and Beckham, Beyoncé has also been associated with Diet Pepsi promotions. While there is limited information available specifically on Beyoncé's Diet Pepsi ad, her involvement further emphasizes the brand's appeal to prominent celebrities across different industries.
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In India, Pepsi has used actors like Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Aishwariya Rai to promote its product
In the West, Diet Pepsi has been promoted by celebrities such as Michael J. Fox and Gail O'Grady. However, in India, Pepsi has used actors like Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Aishwarya Rai to promote its product.
Aamir Khan starred in a 1993 Pepsi ad that also featured two young ladies who would go on to become Bollywood stars. The ad was less than a minute long and centred on Khan playing chess with himself in his apartment. The doorbell rings, and on his doorstep is a beautiful girl, Mahima Chaudhry, who introduces herself as his new neighbour and asks for a Pepsi. Khan says "One minute" and rushes inside the apartment, only to find that all his Pepsi bottles are empty.
The ad was a spin-off of Pepsi's "You got the right one baby, uh huh" campaign in the US and Canada, featuring singer Ray Charles. It is noted that the ad did not let the celebrity endorsement overwhelm the product—instead, it sold a fantasy in which Pepsi took centre stage. The ad was a complete story, which gave it entertainment value, and it struck a chord with its mix of sexual appeal, celebrity endorsement, and hectic and cheeky humour.
In 1995, Aishwarya Rai starred alongside Aamir Khan in another popular Pepsi ad. This ad also featured a chess set, with Rai's character making a subtle move while waiting for Khan's character, suggesting that she is not a "bimbo".
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In Australia, Pepsi has been promoted by local celebrities including Kylie Minogue and Jennifer Hawkins
Kylie Minogue is an Australian pop star who rose to fame following her role in the Australian soap opera 'Neighbours'. In 2000, she signed a deal to become the face of Pepsi in Australia, despite previously endorsing Coca-Cola in the 1980s. A 45-second advertisement for Pepsi featuring Minogue was released in 2001, and aired in her native Australia. Minogue's spokesperson confirmed that she would be playing her first UK tour in eight years in March 2001, with extra dates added in Glasgow, Manchester, and London.
Jennifer Hawkins is an Australian icon, known for her work as a TV presenter, fashion designer, and entrepreneur. She was crowned Miss Universe in 2004, and has secured numerous lucrative commercial contracts, including with Pepsi. Hawkins has also worked with brands such as retail giant Myer, skincare brand Lux, Covergirl, Audi, and Louis Vuitton. In 2007, she launched her own swimwear range, Cozi by Jennifer Hawkins, and in 2013, she launched Jbronze, a self-tanning range. Hawkins has been nominated for awards such as Most Popular New Female Talent at the 2006 Logie Awards, and has hosted shows such as Australia's Next Top Model.
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Christina Aguilera signed with Pepsi in 2005, having previously promoted Coca-Cola
Pepsi and Coca-Cola have a history of signing famous celebrities to promote their products. In 2005, Pepsi signed Kanye West as its newest spokesperson, although there were rumours that he was dropped after making a comment against President George W. Bush. However, Pepsi clarified that their relationship with West remained unchanged. Over the years, Pepsi has also signed celebrities such as Nicki Minaj, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, One Direction, and Kylie Minogue for promotional deals and commercials. In 1983, Michael Jackson signed with Pepsi, producing many commercials and going on world tours through 1993.
Similarly, Coca-Cola has signed New York pop star Christina Aguilera, who previously promoted Coca-Cola before signing with Pepsi in 2005. Aguilera's rival, Britney Spears, had signed a deal with Pepsi in 2001, and Aguilera's subsequent deal with Coca-Cola sparked a "cola war" between the two pop stars. Aguilera promoted Coca-Cola in South America and the United States, where she achieved her greatest fame. The rivalry between the two singers added fuel to the competition between the two beverage giants.
Aguilera's self-titled debut album was released in August 1999, and her debut single "Genie in a Bottle" topped the US charts for five weeks. Her sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola was reportedly worth £50 million. While Aguilera promoted Coca-Cola, her rival Spears promoted Pepsi in a deal worth £65 million over five years.
The rivalry between the two singers added an interesting dynamic to the competition between Pepsi and Coca-Cola, demonstrating the power of celebrity endorsements in the beverage industry.
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Frequently asked questions
The actress in the 1987 Diet Pepsi commercial with Michael J. Fox is Gail O'Grady, who also starred in NYPD Blue.
Britney Spears was a spokesperson for Pepsi in 2001 and starred in many commercials for the brand.
Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and David Beckham starred in a Diet Pepsi commercial together in 2004.
Nicki Minaj signed a promotional deal with Pepsi in February 2012 and starred in a commercial that included her hit single "Moment 4 Life".
The 2024 music video for the song "Diet Pepsi" by American singer Addison Rae features Charli XCX and Troye Sivan.
