Pepsi pulls 'tone deaf' Kendall Jenner ad after massive backlash

Kendall Jenner’s new Pepsi commercial isn’t getting such a bubbly reception.

The company have been forced to pull the ad following an onslaught of backlash from the public, with people branding it “disgusting,” “distasteful” and “tone deaf” on social media.

The ad features Jenner stepping forward in the middle of a protest and offering a can of Pepsi MAX to one of the police officers forming a barricade.

He takes a sip and cracks a smile, which seems to solve everything.

The image of a peace-offering-with-a-Pepsi, has drawn comparisons to Black Lives Matter protestor Ieshia Evans, who was pictured standing up to law enforcement during a Baton Rouge riot following Alton Sterling’s shooting death by the police.

Pepsi originally defended the commercial, saying it “reflects people from different walks of life coming together in a spirit of harmony, and we think that’s an important message to convey.”

However they’ve since released a follow-up statement apologising for their poor judgement.

RELATED: Pepsi apologises for Cristiano Ronaldo voodoo doll pictures
RELATED: Fifi Box slams Kendall Jenner

“Pepsi was trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding. Clearly we missed the mark, and we apologise,” they said.

“We did not intend to make light of any serious issue. We are removing the content and halting any further rollout. We also apologise for putting Kendall Jenner in this position.”

Here’s the point some people made on social media:

Even Martin Luther King Jr's daughter Bernice King, joined in.

Others expressed frustration with the brand seeming to trivialise social issues, such as Black Lives Matter, and using mainly white celebrities in the process.

Want more celebrity, entertainment and lifestyle news? Follow Be on Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram