Bad PR: Inconsistent Identity – Carl’s Jr. and Padma Lakshmi

Carl’s Jr. premiered their latest advertisement this week featuring model-thin author and Bravo network Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi enjoying Carl’s latest heart-attack-inducing, artery-clogging burger creation. Lakshmi, in slow-motion, sits on a stoop, hikes up her skirt and takes big mouthfuls of a Western Bacon Thickburger, and it drips on the ground and runs down her hand.

 While this commercial is the latest Carl’s Jr. ad campaign to feature a thin, beautiful, and relevant celebrity it differentiates from previous commercials featuring the likes of Paris Hilton in that Lakshmi’s entire creed is based on being extremely knowledgeable about food and knowing what one puts in their own body. Isn’t it highly ironic that Carl’s Jr. sought the famed beauty to do a fast food commercial?

 This move seems somewhat off-brand as, according to calorie lab, Carl’s Jr. Western Bacon Six Dollar chest-clutching cardiac event contains 57 grams of fat (87.7% of the recommended daily allowance) 26 grams of saturated fat (over 100% of the recommended daily allowance), and clocks in at a whopping 960 calories. Though as far as I know, it has not showed up at thisiswhyyourefat.com, yet.

While Padma Lakshmi seemingly from afar is the perfect mold for a typical Carl’s Jr. commercial, their motives are off-kilter ultimately discrediting Padma’s most vital voice: her own.