Japan is no stranger to celebrity-endorsed products. Stars who ordinarily wouldn’t be seen dead in a commercial in their home country practically flock to Japan where, rather than being seen as a black mark on one’s resume, appearing in an ad can be a sign of having made it big, with companies prepared to pay top dollar to get a celebrity’s face alongside their product.
World-famous soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo, though, was the last person we expected to see endorsing a face-toning exercise product that makes the user look like they’re devouring a frantically flapping seagull head-first.
Despite being crowned World Player of the Year and having one of the most recognisable faces on the planet, it would seem that Real Madrid forward Ronaldo is currently short of cash. That or he really, really believes in the new Facial Fitness Pao, a facial toning device which requires the user to insert it into their mouth and rapidly nod their head, making the weighted ends flap up and down like a bird’s wings.
Appearing on both the product’s lavish homepage and in a series of ads, Ronaldo is seen posing with the Pao while wearing a huge grin and staring at it.
The ad itself begins with Ronaldo showing off his lifting skills as if to remind viewers of what he’s famous for. A screen then flashes up with the message in Japanese, “There’s one place that I as an athlete haven’t trained…” before the bizarre product is introduced by a bunch of trendily-dressed people seemingly having a fantastic time working out with it.
Mercifully, it would seem that Ronaldo drew the line at actually been seen using the device in the ad (although a GIF currently doing the rounds shows him demonstrating it on a Japanese TV show), with the athlete simply holding and staring at the device in amazement. Still, if his endorsement has inspired you to munch a plastic seagull and try to tone up your face, you’ll be pleased to know that the Facial Fitness Pao is available to buy now, beginning at 13,824 yen.
Sources: YouTube, Facial Fitness Pao
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12 Comments
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SenseNotSoCommon
Hilarious. More "weird Japan" fodder.
timtak
People excercise every other part of their body. So why shouldn't they excercise the most characteristic part that is seen most? Once again, Japanese companies think out of the box while others are restricted by thinking it "weird."
If they were cheaper I'd get one for my daughter....
Probie
Selling his pride for cash. At least he seems to have refused to put it in his mouth and make a complete fool of himself like all the other idiots in the commercial. "No, I'm going to hold it in front of my face and flick my head. I'd rather look stupid doing that than look stupid with this snake-oil trash in my mouth".
He gets to show his acting skills with a the "woah" at around the 00:10 mark though. So, it wasn't a complete waste of time for him.
therougou
To put it another way, Japanese companies have no shame.
Especially when they even refuse to use them in the commercial!
Bluebris
If this is the kind of "out of the box" thinking that Japan is relying on then the country is doomed!!
tinawatanabe
it's definitely much healthier and cheaper than cosmetic surgery.
ConnorH93
I don't get it, how exactly does it exercise your face? They all seem to be just jumping up and down with the thing in their mouths, that's hardly exercising the facing muscles.
banger
all i can say WTF!!
AlexCook
Japanese take an L for this one. The commercial is just down right stupid.
timtak
The Japanese are famed for having shame. Shame is a moral emotion and the Japanese have it in spades. But there is nothing whatsoever immoral about this product.
toshiko
American commercials are done by experienced commercial actors and actresses. Beside insurance ads, Japan Inc ads are crowding TV ad scenes. Many use old once upon a star actors and actresses in medical insurance ads, Not easy in USA. Japan Inc, use cute young girls more than male actors. So, if they get Japanese ads contracts, then they may get jobs in USA. ////recent trend in TV ads is more Asian Americans who only speak English,