In a "surprising twist," the "newest commercial star" for Carl's Jr. is UFC fighter Ronda Rousey, according to Khushbu Shah of EATER.com. Unlike the other Carl's Jr. endorsers, Rousey "has not made her name off of how her body looks." While Carl's Jr. "isn't the first chain to turn to an athlete to serve as its spokesperson, this is perhaps one of Carl's Jr.'s smartest moves." Not only is Rousey a "strong and refreshing celebrity choice, her star is on the rise." The Rousey-Carl's Jr. ad "is set to debut in a few weeks" (EATER.com, 8/3). A company spokesperson said, "Aside from a variety of other factors, (Ronda) was chosen because she is loved and respected so much by both men and women" (PEOPLE.com, 8/3). FOXSPORTS.com's Damon Martin noted Carl's Jr. in the past "has used models like Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton dressed in next to nothing hocking their burgers in commercials that were generally met with a collective groan from the television audience watching at home" (FOXSPORTS.com, 8/4). MMA JUNKIE wrote it is "an interesting move, especially since Rousey has
been critical of ring girls, swimsuit models and the like" (MMAJUNKIE.com, 8/4). Meanwhile, FS1’s Petros Papadakis said, “In these Carl’s Jr. commercials, do we have to watch these people, whether they’re attractive or not, eat so closely? It’s gross. It’s like watching a goat chew. I don’t care how hot that chick is. I don’t want to see you masticate a jalapeno, Rousey” (“Fox Sports Live: Countdown,” FS1, 8/5).
