Actors who star in commercials often become familiar faces, feeling almost part of the family due to their frequent appearances on our screens. A familiar face is Milana Vayntrub, affectionately known as Lily, the AT&T Girl.
Vayntrub, who has played Lily since 2013, also directed commercials in which she starred. In addition to her role as Lily, she has an extensive acting resume, including appearances on This is us, House of lies, CalifornianizationAnd Silicon Valleyand starred in her science fiction comedy series, Another space.
Recently, viewers noticed a change in AT&T ads: Lily now appears mostly from behind the counter, hiding her body. Vayntrub directly addressed the change on Twitter on March 20, 2021. She explained that the decision was due to the amount of unwanted comments she received about her body. She stated, “I direct the commercials. I put myself like that. And that’s because of the thousands of negative comments I received about my body. You have lost the privilege of looking at it until I feel safe again.”
Unfortunately, Vayntrub’s explanation only seems to add to the harassment. Despite this, many Twitter users still came to her defense, emphasizing the inappropriate nature of the comments she received.
The harassment peaked in August 2020 when people began leaving degrading messages on old ads featuring Vayntrub. AT&T responded by stating that sexual harassment of employees would not be tolerated and took steps to disable or remove comments on its social media content featuring Lily . The company emphasized its commitment to supporting Vayntrub and respecting all women.
Vayntrub has spoken out multiple times about the harassment, even going live on Instagram to share her experience. She revealed that the comments made her feel as if she was being sexually assaulted and expressed how much the harassment hurt her feelings.
Fans and celebrities rallied around Vayntrub. Director Paul Feig condemned the harassment on Twitter, calling it a disgrace and urging people to stop.
In response to the harassment, Vayntrub and AT&T adjusted the ads. Vayntrub is now often shown sitting behind a desk or holding props, such as a puppy, to shield his body. These measures are intended to protect her from inappropriate comments, while allowing her to continue her work comfortably.
Milana Vayntrub’s experience highlights the ongoing problem of online harassment, especially for women in the public eye. Her decision to change her appearance in the AT&T commercial was a step toward regaining a sense of security and comfort in her professional life.
