Lots of Folks Despise This Xmas Message From Mariah Carey and Sephora

'Tis the season to be haters

All she wants for Christmas is to hype Sephora. Is that so wrong?

Apparently, yes. As Mariah Carey’s annual “It’s Time” holiday video—which this year doubles as a promo for Sephora—has come under a pretty massive attack.

It’s a big break from tradition and fans are peeved. Carey hadn’t previously used “It’s Time” to plug products since the series debuted in 2019.

That’s Billy Eichner as an elf. His presence doesn’t help. The whole enterprise, presumably aiming for yuletide camp, just feels off.

Though some folks are cool with the approach, others have blasted the clip as “tone deaf”—that criticism comes up a lot—in light of the current political climate and Americans’ economic woes.

So, Xmas is getting too commercialized? First we’ve heard of it here.

Mariah’s also taking flak for twisting the meaning of her classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” eschewing the deeper feels for crass capitalism.

Those are fair takes. If a tad naive. Come ON, what do people expect at this time of year?

All cynicism aside, however … the spot straight-up sucks. The performances are grating and its cartoony production values deliver no narrative payoff.

But controversy and celebs draw eyeballs. So, naturally, views are through the roof amid copious coverage.

That means the Carey and Sephora brands are getting big play—for better or worse. Nice stocking stuffer, I guess.

In this big year of marketing dustups, will our Grinchly ad-critic-in-chief see fit to weigh in?