Opinion: Tiffany & Co. ad genuine even if motivated by money; Kanye, Kim’s fertility troubles fueled with good intentions

This is part of a weekly series called “Pop Opinions” where The Lantern offers its take on the week’s pop culture news.

One photo in a series of engagement ads by Tiffany & Co. featured a gay couple.
Credit: Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany proposes to nontraditional company

Prominent jewelry retailer Tiffany & Co. recently revealed its latest set of ads featuring real-life couples who represent the many stages of love. From casually dating sweethearts to a beaming couple and child, each pair appears to be blissfully happy (as all couples featured in jewelry ads typically do).

But with this latest effort in marketing, Tiffany did something that we don’t normally see in jewelry advertisements: The company featured a gay couple.

Let’s be honest: The gay community is the perfect mascot: Generally favored by the public and not copyrighted, any company knows that by featuring gay couples in its marketing efforts, it will receive both positive media attention and an instant reputation as a “progressive” company.

Forget costly celebrity appearances or $1 million strategies. Slap a lesbian couple on the side of your cereal box and sales go through the roof. Include an adopted child of racially ambiguous descent and you’ve all but monopolized the entire breakfast food industry.

Jokes aside, I do love this Tiffany advertisement.

Public responses to the advertisement have been generally positive, but some have accused the company of using society’s increasing support of gay marriage as a publicity stunt. And maybe it was. On one hand, it’s unfortunate when any community is exploited for personal gain, but as a gay man who would in fact like to get married at some point, I’m grateful for any support that I can get.

Whether it’s two men holding hands, a pair of drag queens at Starbucks or an Oreo cookie with tacky rainbow filling, all it takes is the slightest hint of support and social media will praise a company for its noble efforts to fight for equal rights. Sometimes it’s done right, and sometimes it goes horribly, horribly wrong.

The Tiffany advertisement is an example of gay-inclusive marketing done right. It’s neither overstated nor flashy. Void of stereotypes and altogether quite charming, the image of two men happily in love and sitting on a set of stairs seems perfectly representative of a real-life scene. Did Tiffany know that it would receive widespread praise and recognition for going through with it? I have no doubt.

I couldn’t give less of a crap whether Tiffany was guided by personal values or monetary values. It doesn’t matter to me. What does matter to me is that we’re progressing as a society. Tiffany might or might not be sincere in its efforts, but the countless members of society who were touched by the advertisement most certainly are.

And that’s good enough for me.

From left, singers Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz and John Mayer were among those who made pop headlines this week. Credit: Courtesy TNS

Kimye shares baby issues

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have opened up about their recent troubles with conceiving a second child.

Kim, who is 34, explains that “when you’re not planning it, it happens. It’s just how God works. And when you want it so bad, it’s not happening.”

Her troubles with conception will be featured in the upcoming 10th season of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” on E!, an addition that Kim and Kanye hope will help other women dealing with issues regarding conception and fertility.

Go ahead and roll your eyes. Say what you will, but I’m a fan of Kim K. and the rest of her clan. I think what she’s doing is sweet.

Katy recruits Kravitz

Katy Perry recently revealed that Lenny Kravitz will appear as a special guest in her NFL Super Bowl Halftime Show.

I know what you’re thinking — Lenny Kravitz plays music!?

I always thought Lenny Kravitz was famous for starring in the Hunger Games and wearing really big scarves, but after a quick peak at the star’s Wikipedia page, I discovered that there is far more to this fiercely fabulous man than first realized.

Back in his day, Kravitz was a successful rock star in his own right. Winner of multiple Grammy Awards and a slew of other achievements, Katniss Everdeen’s favorite stylist actually released a new album just last year!

So make sure you’re looking for Kravitz alongside Perry at the Super Bowl on Feb. 1.

I know I will be.

Katy canoodles with John Mayer

Going back to Katy Perry, it looks like she’s back with ex-flame John Mayer.

I don’t like John Mayer. He’s slimy, he’s reclusive, and whenever I try to picture him in my head, all I can think about is Adam Richman from “Man Vs. Food” scarfing down a tray of hot wings.

Do they look similar? In my opinion — yes. In the opinions of anyone to whom I’ve ever admitted this — not even a little.

Anyway. Like I said, I don’t like John Mayer. So I’m not particularly interested in this news. But maybe you will be.

Personally, I hope they break up.