CINCINNATI—Drawing mixed reactions from viewers with its attempt to flesh out the backstory of the popular cleaning products mascot, a new ad released by Procter & Gamble this week generated controversy with its revelation that Mr. Clean only dates Black women. “The beloved and iconic Mr. Clean has long been known for his smile, his bulging muscles, and his shiny bald head, but now there’s even more to his story!” read a Procter & Gamble press release issued when networks began airing the 30-second spot, in which none of the brand’s products are featured and no cleaning takes place, but instead the iconic character talks candidly about how everyone has their preferences and “white girls just don’t do it for [him].” “We realized that consumers have been watching Mr. Clean on TV for decades, and yet they’ve never really gotten the chance to know him. We wanted them to understand there’s a real person behind this guy who cleans your whole house and every room that’s in it, and one way to do that is by having him talk about how he started dating Black women in college and never really looked back. It’s not a fetish—it’s just a matter of attraction and genuine compatibility, and it’s important for our customers to understand that. Whether they know it or not, everyone has a type, and that includes Mr. Clean.” At press time, Procter & Gamble representatives teased a new upcoming advertisement that confirms Mr. Clean’s single-hoop earring is a reflection of his bisexuality.
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