Mum of boy in dress in John Lewis ad hits back at abuse: ‘You have a problem’

Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: John Lewis/YouTube

The mother of nine-year-old rising star Reggie Parker, who donned a dress for a recent John Lewis advert, has hit back at abusive trolls.

The video, titled ‘Let Life Life’, was screened during the ad break of Great British Bake Off last week. It depicts a young boy tearing through a family home while dancing to Stevie Nicks’ ‘Edge of Seventeen’.

Despite attracting widespread praise – including from Fleetwood Mac icon Stevie herself – the ad has been savagely criticised online and in some pockets of the media.

“How can anyone be so upset and offended over something fun and innocent”

As quoted in the Daily Mail today, Reggie’s mum Sam Parker, 35, has hit back, saying: “I am shocked it has caused so much controversy. It’s laughable, how can anyone be so upset and offended over something fun and innocent?”

The mum-of-two continued: “I’ve read comments from people with old fashioned mind sets who don’t want to see a boy in a dress.

“I’ve seen ridiculous comments saying his ‘behaviour’ is destructive and spoilt – he is acting in an advert for home insurance.

“But what disgusts me are complaints saying the advert is sexualising Reggie, with lipstick and ‘provocative’ dance moves.’

The Oxford-based Parker added: “If you see something sexual in a advert with a young boy – you have a problem.”

She also said: “I haven’t and never will make money from my children – or any opportunities they choose to do.

“The money will be put into his own account. He will be allowed to spend a small amount because he worked very hard but the rest he will save for when he is older.”

She added: “I’ve also read comments that ‘a boy should be playing football’ – well he does. He is a goal keeper, he gets muddy and he is always in the garden or playing Fifa – he also loves dressing up and has been street dancing since he was four and that’s OK.”

Addressing the controversy last week, a John Lewis rep said in a statement: “At John Lewis, we believe in children having fun and that’s why we chose this playful storyline for our latest advert.

“It’s designed to show the young actor getting carried away with his dramatic performance. He is not willfully damaging his home and is unaware of the unintentional consequences of his actions.

“If customers have Accidental Damage Cover with our Home Insurance, this would cover a range of major and minor home disasters – including unintentional breakages caused by children in the family.”

Update

On Friday 22 October 2021, John Lewis provided Attitude with the following updated statement:

“Reggie is a brilliantly talented young actor and we’re so sorry that the advert we created with him has been subjected to negative comments online. We have been speaking to Sam, Reggie’s mum, to make sure we support her and Reggie with anything they need, as well as reassuring them of the many positive comments from customers who love the advert.

“At John Lewis, we believe in children having fun and that’s why we chose this playful storyline for our latest advert. Reggie portrayed this wonderfully and simply shows a young boy getting carried away with his dramatic performance.”

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