Duolingo’s BBL campaign for Super Bowl LVII was one of the most controversial commercials in the history of the event. The Super Bowl, which is famous for its intense football and equally intense advertising, has witnessed many provocative ads. But none have stirred up as much controversy as Duolingo’s.
The controversy started before the Super Bowl, when Duolingo posted a TikTok video of their mascot going to Dr. Miami, a famous plastic surgeon, for a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery. The ad, which was both weird and captivating, showed the whole process. It showed Dr. Miami acting like he was using his surgical instruments on the mascot, mimicking the BBL operation.
The peak of this campaign was the Duolingo Super Bowl ad called “Do your lesson No Buts”. The ad showed the Duolingo owl mascot’s butt getting bigger before it burst into another Duolingo. This odd and funny portrayal of BBL surgery was meant to be a fun and catchy way to advertise the language learning app. But it caused a lot of backlash.
Duolingo’s Mascot first got a BBL from Dr. Miami before Super Bowl LVII
Duolingo gets a BBL from Dr. Miami in new TikTok. pic.twitter.com/T1dNuuAXdz
— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 10, 2024
Then came the Duolingo Super Bowl LVII ad about “Do your lesson, No Buts”. The ad was only 5 seconds, but it was a 5 seconds well spent considering the attention they are getting.
How Social Media Reacted to Duolingo’s BBL Super Bowl LVII Commercial
The ad has been slammed by women who have had BBL surgery, who say that it mocks a serious and often life-altering procedure. They think that the ad belittles their experiences and makes their personal choices a joke.
The ad has also been slammed for encouraging BBL surgery to women. Critics say that instead of encouraging body alteration, companies should be encouraging women to love their natural bodies. They think that the ad gives a damaging message about body image and self-love.
This controversy shows the thin line that advertisers have to tread when making content that is both appealing and respectful. While humor and shock factor can make an ad unforgettable, they can also make an ad offensive if they touch on sensitive topics.
The Duolingo BBL controversy is a reminder of the power and the duty of advertising. As we keep exploring the changing world of media and advertising, it is important to think about the possible impact of our messages on all viewers.
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