To say megastar singer/actress Beyoncé knows how to “make a buck” would be putting it mildly. She and husband Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) are among the wealthiest people in show business today.
One example of Beyoncé Knowles Carter’s business acumen is the $50 million promotion deal she recently worked out with Pepsi.
But there are those who frown on (hard) soft drinks like Pepsi and Coca-Cola being promoted so heavily, and in such a way that kids are targeted as much as adults, if not more so.
It has frequently been noted how poor the diets of a shocking number of children is in the United States today, heavy on fast food, sugar, salty snacks, etc. In fact, the poor diets combined with lack of exercise (and obesity) could easily result in this generation not living as long as the one that preceded it, which would be unprecedented.
Some have cited what they say is the irony of Beyoncé promoting Pepsi when she has been active with First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” fitness campaign.
But Beyoncé says its about the choices people make and how children are educated by their parents, as well as being a matter of balance.
“Pepsi is a brand I’ve grown up seeing my heroes collaborate with,” said Beyoncé in her defense. “The company respects musicians and artistry. I wouldn’t encourage any person, especially a child, to live life without balance.”
But those words have fallen on deaf ears by people such as Mark Bittman, a writer for the New York Times.
“Knowles is renting her image to a product that may one day be ranked with cigarettes as a killer we were too slow to rein in. She has become part of an effort that promotes a public health crisis.”
Among other recording stars who have done commercials for Pepsi are Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Ray Charles, Britney Spears and Nicki Minaj.