M&M's announced on Monday that it has put its iconic cartoon mascots on an "indefinite pause" and replaced them with actress Maya Rudolph. The decision follows changes made to the mascots last year, which sparked criticism from some conservatives, including Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
In response to the backlash, M&M's explained in a statement on Twitter that they didn't anticipate their changes to the "spokescandies" to "break the internet," and highlighted their belief that even a candy’s shoes can be polarizing. The company also said they are confident Ms. Rudolph will champion the power of fun to create a world where everyone feels they belong.
Ms. Rudolph confirmed the news in an interview with Today and will assume the role of "Chief of Fun" in M&M's upcoming Super Bowl campaign. The brand has shared a video on social media Sunday featuring the mascots in celebration of the Lunar New Year, and said they will share more on the spokescandies' new pursuits over the next few weeks. It's uncertain how long the pause will last.