Why Is Michelle Obama Hawking Soda at Costco?
When I think of a famous person hawking a beverage amid us common folk, there are some names to come to mind. Bella Hadid went to Target to promote Kin, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul are always shilling their tequila, and at any given moment in this country a Real Housewife is at a liquor store signing bottles of poorly made wine. It’s all part of the hustle, I get it — but it’s not something you’d expect to see, say, America’s favorite First Lady getting up to.
Nonetheless, Michelle Obama was at a Costco in Livermore, California, earlier this week promoting her new line of healthy kids drinks, PLEZi FiZZ. Roll the tape.
Someone get her a microphone, please! Even one of those silly at-home karaoke mics would be better than watching her yell, “This is a healthy drink,” at a big (but not huge) group of onlookers.
Were you unaware that the former First Lady was the co-founder of a healthy soda brand for kids? I was, too. PLEZi —yes, that’s how it’s stylized — is the continuation of Obama’s efforts to make sure kids are as healthy as possible. PLEZi (the more juice-forward option) and PLEZi FiZZ (the “soda”) are a “worry-free alternative” for kids who might otherwise get hooked on Dr. Pepper. “It’s got less sugar, less sweetness, and more nutrients like fiber and potassium than you’ll find in many drinks out there,” Obama wrote in a letter on the website.
Of course, I respect Obama’s commitment to keeping kids off of high-fructose corn syrup or whatever. At the same time, it’s concerning that even Michelle Obama has a side hustle. If they’re making her go to the furthest reaches of the Bay Area suburbs to put in a shift … oh baby, the recession is coming.