Billboard mocking 'muffin tops' gets makeover from graffiti artists

Billboard mocking 'muffin tops' gets makeover from graffiti artists

(NBC News)


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JACKSON, Michigan — A plastic surgery billboard that makes fun of overweight bodies drew ire from people around the world and inspired local artists to give the ad a face-lift.

Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery first debuted the Jackson, Michigan, billboard in May on its Facebook page, asking what people thought of the ad. It features two muffins stuffed into jeans with the statement, “Friends don’t let friends muffin top.”

The billboard didn’t receive any national attention until local artists decided to spruce it up. Graffiti was used to put smiles on the muffins. The original statement was crossed out and “You’re beautiful!” was written in its place.

The office manager for Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery told mlive.com the vandalism was “truly an unfortunate situation.”

'You're beautiful!' spray painted over plastic surgery billboard with anti-muffin top slogan: http://t.co/0dzuNpyOpYpic.twitter.com/dLO3Neavbo — Tk Ghiloni (@tkghiloni) July 28, 2014

But most people disagree.

Commenters from around the world weighed in, and the consensus seems to be that the advertisement is tacky.

“Gross fat-shaming is un-original and hurtful. Why don't you advertise what you can actually do instead of trying to shame people into using your services?” wrote one Facebook commenter on the billboard's photo.

“If this was supposed to make people chuckle, you have NO EMPATHY!” wrote another user.

The plastic surgery center defended the ad and told Yahoo it was meant to be “lighthearted.” A few Facebook commenters also came to the company's defense.

“I see nothing wrong with it. You are advertising a service,” wrote a local Facebook user. “I don't understand what ppl (sic) are so offended by. Seems like there would be a great market in Jackson would it not be for the average socioeconomic status of most here.”

This is not the first ad from Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery that has been deemed offensive. A previous a billboard featured a small coffee cup labeled “B” and a large coffee cup labeled “D” with the slogan “Size Matters.” That billboard was taken down after locals voiced their complaints.

In Michigan, vandalism of property can be either a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the value of the cost of repair. No charges have been filed.

An Ann Arbor employee told Today.com they will rethink their advertising strategy and plan to replace the billboard with a different one.

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Tracie Snowder

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