Sep 18, 2006

Maria Sharapova’s “I Feel Pretty” commercial is one of the best Nike ads I’ve seen in a long time. It features the whole world singing the iconic song from Westside Story to Maria Sharapova, who looks very unimpressed with people praising her for her beauty.  (The best is a cameo by curmudgeonly John McEnroe, who is singing like a schoolgirl along with the rest of the world.) Then we find out why sexy Sharapova is pouting; she is more then just a pretty face, she is a championship tennis player.  One might see this commercial as a parody of another pretty Russian tennis player, Anna Kournikova, who is often criticized for coasting by on her appearance rather then her tennis game. 

This post-feminist message resonates with many women who want to be taken seriously for their accomplishments, not just their looks.  For those of you who are more than just a pretty face, show your pride by wearing this tongue-and-cheek “I Feel Pretty” t-shirt by Nike. 

Price: $24

Available at: paiva.com