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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Jessica Knibbs

M&M’s replaces its ‘spokescandies’ with Bridesmaids actress Maya Rudolph after right-wing meltdown

M&M’s will remove its candy spokespeople after a backlash.

(Picture: Getty Images)

M&M’s Chocolate has recently announced it will stop using its colourful mascots, known as “beloved spokescandies”, after backlash from the brand’s attempt at inclusion.

The company said actress and comedian Maya Rudolph will be the new replacement as she is someone “America can agree on”.

The brand also shared a statement saying it would take an “indefinite pause” from using its candy mascots.

Why was M&M’s in hot water?

The cause for the company’s controversy began with their campaign Flip the Status Quo, which was an initiative to help raise money to support women in creative industries.

The campaign featured their limited-edition candy bags with three female “spokescandies” of Brown, Green, and its newest addition, Purple.

However, the multi-coloured button-shaped chocolates were met with strong criticism from right-wing media, including Fox News, after the campaign announcement.

Fox News host Tucker Carlson in particular was quick to show his dismay, criticising the “woke M&M’s” and questioning the sexual orientations and physical depictions of the candy mascots.

As such, M&M’s Chocolate released a statement reassuring they were not attempting to “break the internet” and shared their hope that Rudolph would be the perfect spokesperson for the brand.

It said: “America, let’s talk. In the last year, we’ve made some changes to our beloved spokescandies. We weren’t sure if anyone would even notice. And we definitely didn’t think it would break the internet.

“But now we get it - even a candy’s shoes can be polarising. Which was the last thing M&M’s wanted since we’re all about bringing people together.”

“We are confident Ms Rudolph will champion the power of fun to create a world where everyone feels they belong,” the company added.

According to Today, The Bridesmaids star will be the new M&M’s spokesperson for the company’s upcoming Super Bowl ad on February 12, a role she described as an “honour”.

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