Olive Garden disses Playboy model Kendra Wilkinson
Filed under: Extracurriculars, Ripoffs and Scams
Most companies would do anything for a celebrity endorsement, but the Olive Garden is looking askance at the over-friendly overtures from Playboy model Kendra Wilkinson, who just loves her some Olive Garden. The Wall St. Journal reports that the unofficial association is turning into unwelcome attention and is making the restaurant nervous.
Wilkinson, for her part, remains unabashed. The 23-year-old, who lives with Hugh Hefner and two other of his girlfriends, takes every opportunity to talk about how much she loves the food at the Italian eatery -- even when traveling in Italy. She has sponsored a modeling contest for Olive Garden waitresses, talked about the restaurant on TV and her MySpace page and generally caused the owners of the Olive Garden, the Darden Restaurant group, which also owns Red Lobster, to blush.
Despite the number of troublesome celebrities out there, there have been relatively few incidents of this sort over the last couple of decades. Most companies take the approach that any publicity is good publicity and remain silent on the antics of stars (A- through Z-list) who are pictured using their products. As long as no big-money contracts with morals clauses are involved, which has led to many a firing in recent years, they just let it go.
The Journal details the few notable dust-ups: Jay-Z boycotting Cristal champagne after the CEO of the company seems to disparage the rappers who loved the brand; Tommy Hilfiger constantly dodging rumors that he didn't appreciate the popularity of his clothes with the hip-hop set; political candidates staying mum on unsolicited endorsements from unsavory celebs, and, of course, Playboy sponsoring modeling contests for McDonald's employees.
Most of the time, companies are trying to give their products away to any celebrity that will take them. Called "swag" (for "stuff we all get") the freebies range from branded t-shirts to $10,000 vacations -- and all now are taxable. Gift bags for major award shows can be worth over $100,000, and anyone who has ever been in show business can score tens of thousands worth of stuff just for showing up at the Sundance Film Festival.
As an entertainmentjournalism journalist for most of my career, I witnessed this swag behemoth grow to exponential levels over the past 15 years, which makes me wonder why the Olive Garden would even bother to respond. Some tides you just can't fight.
Wilkinson, for her part, remains unabashed. The 23-year-old, who lives with Hugh Hefner and two other of his girlfriends, takes every opportunity to talk about how much she loves the food at the Italian eatery -- even when traveling in Italy. She has sponsored a modeling contest for Olive Garden waitresses, talked about the restaurant on TV and her MySpace page and generally caused the owners of the Olive Garden, the Darden Restaurant group, which also owns Red Lobster, to blush.
The Journal details the few notable dust-ups: Jay-Z boycotting Cristal champagne after the CEO of the company seems to disparage the rappers who loved the brand; Tommy Hilfiger constantly dodging rumors that he didn't appreciate the popularity of his clothes with the hip-hop set; political candidates staying mum on unsolicited endorsements from unsavory celebs, and, of course, Playboy sponsoring modeling contests for McDonald's employees.
Most of the time, companies are trying to give their products away to any celebrity that will take them. Called "swag" (for "stuff we all get") the freebies range from branded t-shirts to $10,000 vacations -- and all now are taxable. Gift bags for major award shows can be worth over $100,000, and anyone who has ever been in show business can score tens of thousands worth of stuff just for showing up at the Sundance Film Festival.
As an entertainment
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 12)
8-18-2008 @ 10:35AM
louie said...
she is a idiot.. she is a whore plain & simple ...dont know what value she offers to America other than tit ulation . She isnt attracttive at all. she is air head with 2 air bags and a exhaust . America 's morals and taste is in the gutter . Hugh is just a old fart with no play boy anymore with some dits that a phony as hell . but hell is real . party hardy because hell is knock down your door . it more like you will get 72 whore with diseases when you die and go too hell.. Hugh & Kendra you are not going to any Garden .....
Reply
8-16-2008 @ 9:08AM
Sarah said...
How refreshing to see this opinion...and from a guy. Thank you.
8-16-2008 @ 11:36AM
Kmg said...
I guess you are all jealous of them! Or else you would not be bashing
them as bad as you just did..DO you even know them? I guess YOU have
no morals, or you would not be that rude about someones lifestyle. I
think you are just someone who is angry at life, because you can't
get a girl..PERIOD! Just add the THOUGHT of a girl to your bank,
cause that is the only girl you will ever get! I bet if you had the
opportunity to go the the Mansion you WOULD go! And then would not
have the guts to tell them those things in person!! BTW, I think you
need to go back to Kindergarden where they taught you how to spell,
write, and possably learn some manners. Cause none of your crap makes
any sense!
Sticks and Stone may break bones, but Heff will never invite you!
So keep sending comments you are making her Famous!!
8-16-2008 @ 12:33PM
Dave said...
Sarah: Little Louie is the same as all men that can't get hot women...they complain that they are dirty whores and they are fake. Right, little Louie would cream himself if a women like Kendra walked by him. I don't agree with the lifestyle but calling an American business man icon a washed up looser is really funny. Louie, have you built an empire?
8-16-2008 @ 7:31AM
Keri said...
First of all, its ok that Kendra LOVES "Olive Gardens" in the same way I LOVE "Mimi's Cafe"....and yes, SHE DOES EAT. If you ever noticed? (below her chest----which proably isn't the focus) she's rock hard! That girl works out weekly and has always done so. Most bimbos in Ca won't break a fake nail!, Kendra doesn't get fake nails, SHE WORKS OUT AND ENJOYS LIFE TO THE MAX....she gets enough sleep to where she isn't pigging out like most fat Americans....leave her alone! let's not be "soooooooooooooooo jealous" ok...
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8-16-2008 @ 12:18PM
Dave said...
Who is jealous? Who said she doesn't eat? Who eats at Mimis cafe? Really, hollywood people don't work out? Really Kendra doesn't show her stomach every episode? All americans are fat, really? Hollywood is notorious for the best bodies in the world and they are ALL worked out. Where do you find better bodies? Have you ever been? Head on down to a florida beach, gym or downtown and tell me that ALL Americans are fat. Silly lady seems like you are in love with Kendra. Simple thought process is always interesting to witness.
8-16-2008 @ 2:39PM
Lisa said...
I am with you these people are so JEALOUS
8-16-2008 @ 6:41PM
veronica said...
KENDRA ; IN PLAYBOY SHE DOES NOT HAVE NO CLASS AT ALL. AND IF I WAS A GUY I WLL NEVER ASK HER EVEN TO A MOVIE. FROM ALLENTOWN PA.
8-16-2008 @ 7:02PM
Judye said...
What grade did Kendra finish? She seems like such an ADHD prostitute. She has while trailer trash embossed on her. Has she been checked for the presence of HIV/chlamidia/STD. One sincere hopes so since her morales are headed to the STD cumpster.
8-16-2008 @ 6:40PM
dshgdsfh said...
your cool for bashing americans, especially since its relevant to the article above (its not relevant at all). Just thought that i should explain my sarcasm cuz foreigners are dumb. see i can stereotype too!
8-18-2008 @ 4:54PM
beachy said...
I do think, kendra isnt where she at because she stupid. All the invest. & reality she owns, she isnt that dumb.Plus work out vidieos & playboy. Come on Jealous. (expec Veronica/Judye). Im sure she wouldnt be in Huges life if she wasnt a decent person. Olive Garden is a fool to not embrasse it, shes not trying to make money,idiots!).
Plus she is one of the most fit of all actress,stars or models Ive seen in years.
8-21-2008 @ 8:53PM
Bob S. said...
I'm not jealous of Kendra (and wouldn't want her life-stye), but the reality is that KENDRA DOES EAT, DOES KEEP HERSELF IN GREAT SHAPE, HAS EATEN AT MANY RESTAURANTS, AND COULD OPENLY PROMOTE ANY RESTAURANT, BUT SHE'S CONSTANTLY TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH SHE LOVES THE FOOD AT OLIVE GARDEN. Maybe I don't have much respect for her, in general,but knowing she can eat just about any place, (if I hadn't eaten at Olive Gardens) I'd be more influenced by her opinion of a restaurant than I would of the opinion of people who do not eat at the fancy places she's been. Olive Garden should have thanked her for expressing her positive opinion.
8-16-2008 @ 7:33AM
Tim said...
Frankly I don't care what she thinks about Olive Garden or anything else for that matter. I don't agree with her lifestyle nor that of Hugh can't recall his last name.
Reply
8-16-2008 @ 12:19PM
Dave said...
When I don't care, I don't write about it. I do care about your nonsense though..
8-16-2008 @ 2:10PM
Chris said...
You must be gay,
8-16-2008 @ 2:50PM
Greg said...
Tim said he doesn't care about her opinion on Olive Garden nor does he approve of her life style. He posted his comment most likely because he disapproves of her and her life style. This does NOT necessarily mean he is gay. I am straight, and I would have to agree with Tim. I wouldn't date a woman like her even if she begged me. Sure, she maybe pretty on the outside, but on the inside she's ugly. She does nothing but get $paid$ to add to the moral degradation of society. Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. (Proverbs 31:10 KJV)
8-16-2008 @ 9:16PM
Renee said...
Do people not have anything better to do with their time than to make ungracious remarks about a young woman who is funny, beautiful and obviously LUCKY enough to be making money? I think Holly, Bridget and Kendra are all cute, funny and in many ways very down to earth. Olive Garden should be happy for the free publicity.
Reply
8-16-2008 @ 9:24AM
Rob said...
Maybe she wanted some Trout with her olive!
Reply
8-16-2008 @ 10:00AM
chicky said...
She has a horse Face. Thats why she bulked up other parts of her to distract from that.
Reply
8-16-2008 @ 2:11PM
Chis said...
You must be stupid, if you dont think this girls is hot hot hot