M&M’s replaces cartoon chocolate figures with actor Maya Rudolph after backlash
![Maya Rudolph is someone "America can agree on" (Image: Billy Bennight/AdMedia / SplashNews.com)](/upload/news/2023/01/23/19271.jpg)
M&M has announced it will stop using its colourful mascots after a furious backlash to an attempt at a more inclusive branding strategy.
The company will swap mascots in different outfits and looks for actor Maya Rudolph as she is someone "America can agree on".
The multi-coloured button-shaped chocolates were the object of criticism from right-wing media including Fox News after the company announced a new campaign.
The campaign named "Flip the Status Quo", raised money to support women in creative industries and featured limited-edition candy bags with the three female "spokescandies".
When introducing the new M&M’s mascots, the company had said that the anthropomorphized characters will have "more nuanced personalities to underscore the importance of self-expression and power of community through storytelling."
![Get a free Thorntons chocolate heart worth £10 in time for Valentine’s Day qhiddrirtiqruinv](/upload/news/2023/02/07/2349_m.jpg)
![M&M’s replaces cartoon chocolate figures with actor Maya Rudolph after backlash](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29031464.ece/ALTERNATES/n310p/0_MMs-replaces-cartoon-chocolate-figures-with-actor-Maya-Rudolph-after-backlash.jpg)
Their arms and legs matched their shell colours, instead of the tan flesh tone the previous version had.
Also, two female characters wore less stereotypically feminine attire, and the brown M&M’s heels were lowered to sensible pumps.
The green M&M, instead of boots, put on a pair of "cool, laid-back sneakers to reflect her effortless confidence".
The company had said the new look was part of its "global commitment to creating a world where everyone feels they belong and society is inclusive."
![M&M’s replaces cartoon chocolate figures with actor Maya Rudolph after backlash](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29031571.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_MMs-characters.jpg)
Responding to the campaign, Fox News personality Tucker Carlson said: "The woke M&M’s are back. The green M&M is now a lesbian maybe and there is also a plus-sized, obese purple M&M."
At the same time, Conservative personality Nick Adams had tweeted: "Every American with half a brain should be outraged by M&M’s going woke," as "manhood is under attack like no other time in world history."
In a post on social media Monday, M&M's said: "America, let's talk. In the last year, we've made some changes to our beloved spokescandies.
"We weren't sure if anyone would even notice. And we definitely didn't think it would break the internet.
![M&M’s replaces cartoon chocolate figures with actor Maya Rudolph after backlash](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29031424.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_GettyImages-1189380083.jpg)
"But now we get it —even a candy's shoes can be polarizing. Which was the last thing M&M'S wanted since we're all about bringing people together.
"Therefore, we have decided to take an indefinite pause from the spokescandies.
![Paul McKenna's technique for ditching Creme Eggs as he teams up with Cadbury](/upload/news/2023/02/09/3281_m.jpg)
"In their place, we are proud to introduce a spokesperson America can agree on: the beloved Maya Rudolph.
"We are confident Ms Rudolph will champion the power of fun to create a world where everyone feels they belong."
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