RuPaul's Drag Race star wows in Asda Christmas ad as supermarket praised for casting queer icon
ASDA has moved away from Michael Buble for their high-octane Christmas advert and has received positive reviews on social media
by Jamie Roberts · The MirrorLast year it was the velvety tones of Michael Bublé gracing our screens, but this festive season, ASDA has boldly switched gears, bagging a RuPaul’s Drag Race UK gem for their high-octane Christmas advert.
The bold move by ASDA has sent social media into overdrive as fans and customers hail the watershed moment. It marks the first time a drag queen has ever been spotlighted in a Yuletide ad for one of Britain's leading supermarkets. Dropping earlier this week, the commercial has sparked waves of online chatter and has already racked up more than 1 million hits on YouTube within a mere three days.
One enthusiast nailed the mood, saying: "I’m screaming this is so iconic! " Meanwhile, someone else was practically shouting from the rooftops, writing: "I can’t stop screaming! " Absolutely smitten by the refreshing seasonal spin, viewers have dished out praise, with clever spins like "Naomi of the runway to Gnomey of the Asda Aisle," and others applauding: "Now this is a Christmas advert! "You’ve got a fan pitching a festive film idea: "Gnome Alone, anyone?"
ASDA's breakaway from the classic Christmas icon Michael Bublé to a sassy drag favourite in Tayce underscores just how much drag culture has taken the British fancy by storm. In what's set to be an enchanting yuletide journey, Tayce leads a glamorous squad of holiday "heroes" into the bustling world of ASDA, ready to sprinkle some drag magic for shoppers nationwide.
But not everyone’s caught up in the festive spirits. A forlorn ASDA employee hinted at corporate naivety saying: "I work for ASDA, and this is 100% how head office and 90% of area managers think the shop gets ready, judging by how many hours and colleagues they’ve cut."
ASDA’s bold casting could be a trailblazer, as industry chatter already suggests it may urge other big names to go after diversity and untapped stars. Amid the sea of safe, cookie-cutter holiday adverts, ASDA's unconventional pick appears to resonate with people eager to see real-deal innovators among their festive cheer.
Tayce’s representation is impactful; when her manager Dylan Davey from The Social Inc was approached, he didn’t mix words: "ASDA’s decision to feature Tayce in its new Christmas campaign reflects a major shift in advertising. It clearly signals the rising mainstream popularity of drag culture.
"With inclusivity now a top value for brands, this is a statement-making choice that points toward a broader acceptance of drag as an art form beloved by the public. In fact, since the news has spread, we’ve been approached by several leading mainstream brands. I think this has given brands lots of confidence to go for it, and it marks the beginning of an exciting new era in celebrity brand endorsements."
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