Voice Actress Sues Belvedere Vodka For Allegedly Using Her Image In Controversial Ad

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The makers of Belvedere Vodka were sued Thursday by a voice actress who alleges her image was wrongfully used in an ad that stirred controversy on social media sites Twitter and Facebook, prompting its removal.

Alicyn Packard filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Moet Hennessy USA Inc., seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. Her allegations include misappropriation of likeness and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

The March 23 ad depicts a drunken frat boy holding a girl as she struggles to get away and carries the tagline, "Unlike some people, Belvedere always goes down smoothly."

The scene in the ad is taken from a Strictly Viral Productions video, "Awkward Moments No. 543, The Baby Picture," according to the suit. The man with Packard is Chris Strickland, who along with Packard owns Strictly Viral Productions, according to her court papers.

Critics weighed in via social media, saying the Belvedere ad suggested the man was forcing the woman to engage in oral sex, according to the lawsuit.

Packard's court papers quote a Facebook posting which said, "I cannot even express how offensive and wrong your ad is. Rape jokes are not funny."

Another posting stated, "You need to fire someone. Rape is not entertainment," according to the suit.

According to published reports, Belvedere President Charles Gibb later apologized for the ad, saying, "It should never have happened" and saying the content "is contrary to our values and we deeply regret the lapse."

Packard, 32, is best known for voicing characters on the Cartoon Network's "The Mr. Men Show."

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