During the past few weeks, we have been introduced to new weight loss commercials from our favorite singing divas; Jennifer Hudson for Weight Watchers, Janet Jackson for Nutra System, and Mariah Carey for Jenny. With the beginning of the New Year, companies such as these like to capitalize on people who want to lose weight and get in shape. Utilizing amazing and fab women like Jennifer, Janet, and Mariah make for great sales—and since they have all battled their weight over the years, serve as people we can identify with.
But is it a little much?
A few weeks ago, I posted the Weight Watchers commercial with Jennifer Hudson singing to her “former” self. Most people who read the post either commented on the post itself or on Twitter and Facebook that they didn’t like the commercial, or the message it sent. Some mentioned that there was nothing wrong with Jennifer before, and that the commercial was odd and not very well put together.
Enter Mariah and Janet who have also stepped on the weight loss train with their commercials. Mariah’s Jenny commercial is a upbeat montage of other fellow Jenny weight losers and Janet’s is a 30 second speech about how she has battled weight gain, and has made headway with Nutri System. Out of all three of the commercials, I think Janet’s wins the battle—she looks amazing and is very believable.
Truth be told, even if we were to use Weight Watchers, Jenny, or Nutri System, Jennifer, Mariah, and Janet have personal trainers, personal chefs, and other people to help them. Us “regular” folks don’t have that advantage.
So what do you think about the new weight loss commercials from Jennifer, Janet, and Mariah? Do they make you want to run out and try their products? Or is it overkill?
http://youtu.be/jJ__SPOE5jg
http://youtu.be/psQFAKmtc_k
http://youtu.be/kZL3qjTSb00
If I see ONE more JHud commercial, I am going to SCREAM! They are sooo annoying and they are ALWAYS on. It’s worse than Beyonce on the radio. I love them both, but come on already. It’s just too much! And the singing to herself and the all the weird songs…is just overdone.
I concur with you. Maybe going back to the basics and doing a more toned down approach with the Weight Watchers commercials would send a more representative message. Thanks for commenting.
It’s all overkill. I enjoyed the commercials I saw with Janet, but the comment regarding all of the support they receive (trainers, chefs, etc) sums it all up. Janet eats what she wants when she’s not on tour but buckles down when it’s time to prepare to go on tour so I’m not motivated when I see her lose weight. It’s like the folks on the Biggest Loser. If all you’re doing is working out during the day then of course you can do it. I love to see the success stories from the folks who leave the ranch and lose. Those are awesome.
With Jennifer I still think it was an image thing. She is beautiful one way or another but she has more friends on her side now that she’s slimmer. When she was larger there were one too many public appearances where she donned something that wasn’t appropriate for her frame or she was rockin’ the proper support garments (real friends make friends wear spanx when needed..lol). Now that she’s smaller I haven’t seen any of those snafus since she has more folks on her team now (stylists!!! etc). If she’s healthy and feels good about herself then I’m happy for her. I appreciate Jill Scott and Queen Latifah who lose or maintain. Their fans still love them and they still get good exposure and decent roles in Hollywood.
As far as Mariah goes…meh.
My motivation will most likely come from internal stimuli: meaning things I’m thinking or things I can see about myself (tight clothes, shortness of breath, etc.). Although happy when seeing another’s success, it doesn’t necessarily motivate me to action.
Yume, excellent points made. I, too, want to lose some poundage this year. I know through consistency and making the right food choices will I get there. There is no magic wand or “staff” that I can rely on. Just me 🙂
Great comment. What you said about Jennifer I think applies to all celebrities (but especially female celebrities) when it comes to weight loss. I think that the possibility of acting roles, performances, product/service endorsements, and generally any endeavor that would gain them exposure as well as make them hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of dollars plays a large role in a celebrity’s weight-loss.
All that aside though, if these women are healthy and happy with their bodies then I’m happy for them.
I didn’t care for the commercial where Jennifer sings to herself. Yes, it’s awkward. I do like her “Believe” ad. Janet’s is OK. She looks amazing, but there’s too many people in the video for me.
I was not inspired to lose weight by Mariah’s commercial, but the Christmas traditions (like ‘Charlie Brown’s Christmas’) brought back memories. For me, the “come hither” look didn’t fit with the rest of the ad.
In the end, ad agencies and their clients have to be careful about the message they’re trying to convey.
I don’t really believe in any of those to help lose weight. I really do think they are all overrated. The concept is pretty simple. Burn more than you intake, and combine exercise and weights with healthier eating. That has worked for me more than anything else. It also helps with health overall, because even if some diet pill does indeed help you lose weight, wouldn’t you rather be healthy on the inside too with some daily exercise?
Overkill especially since I am not truly convinced that these people do weight watchers alone. They need to say weight watchers plus our personal trainers that we pay for plus (in some instances *cough* Mariah Carey) tummy tucks… I mean – it ain’t fair to pretend otherwise.
Hated it – over it.
Great post! I don’t know anything about weight loss or weight struggles. I’m not so sure if Janet, Mariah, or Jennifer Hudson are enough to motivate people to lose weight and get healthy. I like Janet’s commercial because it’s a testimony, Mariah’s is cute too, but Miss Hudson needs to sit down. Her commercials are wack. The loud, oversinging, the skinny Jennifer joining the fat Jennifer for a duet,etc…
If I have to choose, I have to go with my girl Janet (LOVE HER!!!!). I’m a longtime fan who supports her. We all know Janet has a chef on staff and her trainer Tony Martinez travels with her. I assume Mariah and Jennifer have the same. It would be nice to see a reality show with 3 real people using each of these programs to see the results that are actually attainable.
These celebs are rich and they do nothing to motivate me. I motivate myself to prepare delicious, filling vegetarian meals. I do not like frozen, boxed, processed foods. I love my fresh whole foods.