Earlier this week a Burger King commercial starring Mary J. Blige premiered featuring the R&B singer singing about the joys of “chicken”. In the commercial, Blige gives the ‘Popeye’s Lady’ a run for her money by giving the best stereotypical African-American impersonation ever seen on primetime television.
Following its premature release, the promotional spot went viral prompting backlash from MJB fans embarrassed for the vocalist for attaching her name to something so beneath her.
In an effort to distance herself from the fast-food chain, the 41 year old ‘Queen of Hip-Hop Soul’ has released an official statement. See what she has to say after the jump and sound-off below!
In a statement to TMZ: “I agreed to be a part of a fun and creative campaign that was supposed to feature a dream sequence,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, that’s not what was happening in that clip. I understand my fans being upset by what they saw. But, if you’re a Mary fan, you have to know I would never allow an unfinished spot like the one you saw go out.”
Burger King to Mary J. Blige: “We would like to apologize to Mary J. and all of her fans for airing an ad that was not final,” BK offered in a statement.”
Simply put, the commercial [which has since been taken down from YouTube] should have never seen the light of day. Not only did it paint Mary in a horrible light, but African-Americans as well. While the jingle itself was catchy, it will be remembered and parodied for all the wrong reasons.