Clocking in at exactly 30 seconds, Secret Deodorant's new commercial captures one of the painful realities of being trans in a world that can too often be bigoted, close-minded, and hateful. The ad is neither cheap nor preachy in its representation. It's short, simple, and genuine. What's clear is that someone thought about this beforehand.
With all the recent anti-trans bathroom legislation, paired with the constant misrepresentation, slander, and attacks on the trans identity and community, this commercial is a testament to the strength of the trans community that shows when you hold certain identities, even the things that are considered common or simple (such as using the restroom) become risky and dangerous.
The actress in the ad, Karis Wilde, talked to Queerty about shooting the commercial. When asked about if the scene accurately portrayed her daily life, she said, "I always have moments of insecurity but I have conditioned myself to act unbothered." She added, "While shooting, I allowed myself to feel vulnerable. It terrified me how much I’ve stored all those emotions; I almost cried in the middle of taping."
See the impactful ad in its entirety in the video below.