Kendall Jenner, at 26 years old in 2017, became embroiled in a significant controversy over her involvement in a Pepsi commercial. The ad depicted Jenner offering a can of Pepsi to a police officer during a protest, which critics argued trivialized and misrepresented the seriousness of the Black Lives Matter movement. The commercial was widely criticized as being tone-deaf and insensitive to the complexities of social justice issues.

Following the backlash, Jenner addressed the controversy in an emotional episode of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” In tears, she expressed deep regret, stating, “I just feel really, really bad. Like, I feel really bad that anyone was ever offended. I feel really bad that this was taken such a wrong way.” Her apology was met with mixed reactions, with some questioning the sincerity of her remorse.

In discussions with her older sister Kim Kardashian, as reported by The Washington Post, Jenner further reflected on the fallout from the ad. The incident sparked broader conversations about the responsibility of celebrities and brands in handling sensitive social and political issues. Jenner’s involvement highlighted the risks of commercializing activism and the need for careful consideration in advertising campaigns.

Despite the controversy, Jenner continued her career in modeling and media, navigating both successes and challenges in the public eye. The Pepsi ad scandal remains a notable chapter in her career, illustrating the complexities of fame, influence, and public perception in today’s media landscape.