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Naomi Campbell 'shocked' by Cadbury chocolate ad

The Cadbury bunny might soon be the target of a flying cellphone.Naomi Campbell might be known as a prima donna (and proud of it), but she’s just as sensitive as other celebrities. The 39-year-old supermodel has publicly criticized Cadbury for featuring her name in a print ad that she believes is not only offensive, but also racist. The British company’s latest marketing campaign features
Naomi Campbell attends the Cinema For Peace inaugural Cannes dinner honoring Sean Penn for his charity work. (Getty)
Naomi Campbell attends the Cinema For Peace inaugural Cannes dinner honoring Sean Penn for his charity work. (Getty)

The Cadbury bunny might soon be the target of a flying cellphone.

Naomi Campbell might be known as a prima donna (and proud of it), but she’s just as sensitive as other celebrities. The 39-year-old supermodel has publicly criticized Cadbury for featuring her name in a print ad that she believes is not only offensive, but also racist. The British company’s latest marketing campaign features a Bliss chocolate bar with the slogan “Move over Naomi – there is a new diva in town.”

According to the Independent, Campbell says she is considering “every option available,” including a lawsuit against Cadbury, owned by Kraft.

"I am shocked,” said Campbell. “It's upsetting to be described as chocolate, not just for me, but for all black women and black people. I do not find any humor in this. It is insulting and hurtful."

Activist groups have voiced their support, including The Operation Black Vote (OBV), which called for Cadbury’s to issue an official apology. "Racism in the playground starts with black children being called 'chocolate bar',” OBV director Simon Woolley told The Independent. “At best, this is insensitive, and at worst it demonstrates Cadbury's utter disregard for causing offence.”

Naomi’s mother, Valerie Morris, also joined the campaign, saying she was deeply upset by the “racist” advert: “Do these people think they can insult black people and we just take it? This is the 21st century, not the 1950s. Shame on Cadbury."

A Cadbury company spokesman insists the ad was not meant as racist, and that it was simply "a light-hearted take on the social pretensions of Cadbury Dairy Milk Bliss,” but that in light of the response, they are "no longer in circulation.”

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