Aviation Gin Helps Peloton Wife Wash Away Controversy In New Ad

PORTLAND, OR — Peloton stock dropped dramatically after an ad for its high-end exercise bikes became a lightning rod for controversy. The woman who stars in the ad, Monica Ruiz, has seen her stock head in the opposite direction.

Ruiz became known throughout the internet as "Peloton Woman" and "Peloton Wife" – her relationship is never defined in the ad – after starring in a commercial in which she's given a Peloton bike by her husband, boyfriend, he's also not defined.

During the 30-second spot, the already thin actress is seen using the bike in a variety of shots. The looks on her face, which could be read as determination, got interpreted as looks of desperation, if not something worse.

People slammed the ad, titled "The Gift That Keeps Giving," as sexist and patriarchal. The company's stock dropped 15 percent.

It was also seen by the ad company for Portland-based Aviation Gin, which is partly owned by actor Ryan Reynolds.

They've released a commercial, titled "The Gift That Doesn't give Back," which allows Ruiz to poke fun at her character from the Peloton ad.

The commercial shows her sitting in a bar with friends, drinking a martini. While it starts with her wearing the same deer in the headlights expression from the Peloton ad and a friend telling her, "You're safe here."

It ends with downing her martini in a long sip and toasting, "To new beginnings."

Reynolds has been making tongue-in-cheek ads for the gin ever since he took a stake in the company in 2018.

Last year, he shot an ad poking fun at the gin's Portland home and the city's reputation of being obsessed with all things "artisan."