In 1981, Sarah Michelle Gellar became a child star in a Burger King commercial that would make history. The commercial featured the young actress comparing Burger King’s hamburgers to McDonald’s, marking the first time on television that a company used a competitor’s name in a negative way. However, the commercial sparked a legal battle that Gellar found herself in the middle of at just 5 years old.
McDonald’s sued Gellar, Burger King, and the advertising agency for mentioning their name in the commercial. The lawsuit alleged that the commercial was misleading and false advertising. The legal battle lasted for some time, but eventually settled out of court.
During the filming of the commercial, Gellar learned about the tricks used to make food appear perfect on camera. She found out that the seeds on the burger were glued on, and the burger was shellacked and painted to make it look more appealing. This discovery gave her a newfound appreciation for the phrase “TV is not real.”
In 2023, Gellar opened up about the legal battle during an interview with Buzzfeed UK. She discussed how she was not allowed to eat at McDonald’s during the lawsuit and missed out on the apple pies from McDonald’s birthday parties. Despite this, Gellar remained positive about the experience and joked that she was “the first person to say another competitor’s name in a job.”
Gellar also revealed that Dolly Parton was an uncredited producer on her hit show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The revelation came as a surprise to many fans of the show, as it had never been confirmed before.
Gellar has been labeled as “difficult” on set, but she defends her right to stand up for herself and not make excuses for it. In the past, she has said that it is almost better for people to think she is a “bitch” because there is less expectation that way. This attitude has helped her maintain her independence and carve out a successful career in Hollywood.
Sarah Michelle Gellar’s experience with the Burger King commercial and the subsequent legal battle highlights the importance of truthful advertising and the power of marketing in shaping public opinion. It also sheds light on the tricks used to make food look perfect on camera and the impact of such images on our perception of what is real. Finally, it showcases Gellar’s resilience and willingness to stand up for herself, even in the face of criticism.
