In a press release shared on Monday, candy company Mars announced that its “spokecandies” would be placed on an “indefinite pause” after their redesign sparked mixed reactions. The company will swap their mascots for actor Maya Rudolph because she is someone “America can agree on.” Conservatives have criticized the brand’s rebranded female M&M candies, dubbing them “less sexy.” M&M recreated Miss Green and turned her more “inclusive.” They put her in tennis shoes, toned down her eyelashes, and took away references to gender. Fox News host Tucker Carlson railed against “woke M&Ms” in a recent broadcast. He made similar complaints about the candies last January after M&M’s announced a new, inclusive look. In its statement, M&M’s said it “definitely didn’t think it would break the internet.” They added, “but now we get it — even a candy’s shoes can be polarizing,” the brand wrote. “Which is the last thing M&M’s wanted since we’re all about bringing people together.” Maya Rudolph spoke to TODAY.com and said that she is “thrilled” to represent the brand. She will make her debut as the new spokesperson in a Super Bowl ad on Sunday, Feb. 12.
A message from M&M'S. pic.twitter.com/EMucEBTd9o
— M&M'S (@mmschocolate) January 23, 2023
