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In 2004, pop culture was changed forever when three of the biggest popstars – Brtiney Spears, Beyonce and Pink – joined forces for one of the most epic adverts the world has seen since.
Few years can match 2004 for cultural significance. It was the year that saw the release of cinema’s best sequel, Shrek 2; Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook; and fans mourned as the era-defining sitcom Friends came to a dramatic conclusion.
That same year, music royalty touched down in London’s Trafalgar Square and sent the city into a frenzy as Pepsi launched its multi-million dollar advert.
It featured pop divas Beyonce (who would go on to win five Grammys that year), Britney (riding the high of her latest hit single Toxic) and P!nk (who had just dropped her third studio album Try This).
During the three-minute commercial, Enrique Iglesias casually plays a Roman Emperor. Meanwhile, the chart-topping music artists are kitted out as female gladiators, ready to fight to the death in the Colosseum.
But when they step out onto the arena, instead of throwing weapons, they strike up a powerful cover of Queen’s We Will Rock You for the roaring crowds, each getting their moment in the spotlight. It reads like a fever dream.
This advert made pop culture history that can’t be repeated (Picture: PA)
You would be hard-pressed to find a household that didn’t recognise and love at least one of the trio. But to see their star power come together was a historic moment that won’t be easily replicated.
It’s difficult to imagine a trio of modern-day pop stars, also in their early 20s, with that level of cultural influence and widespread appeal.
There are certainly strong contenders such as Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish and SZA but no one is losing sleep over a new advert. Certainly not one that is still talked about 20 years later.
And with Gladiator II about to hit screens with a star-studded cast including Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal, there’s never been a better time to remember the OG gladiators that stole the nation’s heart.
How did Pepsi make the iconic commercial?
Queen icons Brian May and Roger Taylor were heavily involved in the process (Picture: Getty)
In 2003, Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor delivered a new version of their 1977 hit We Will Rock You specifically created for Brtiney, Beyonce and P!nk right into Pepsi’s lap.
According to advert director Tarsem Singh, Brian and Roger had produced a four-to-five minute cut of the song which was simply too long – so he had to work some magic.
‘I just went in to edit the track and gave Pink, Britney, and Beyoncé one phrase each, …read more
Source:: Metro
