Reba McEntire Is Kentucky Fried Chicken’s First Female Colonel Sanders
Reba McEntire is breaking boundaries. The "Fancy" singer-songwriter makes history as she became the first female performer to portray Colonel Sanders.
McEntire surprised her fans on Twitter when she posted an image on her official Twitter account on Jan. 25. The photo included Colonel Sanders' signature bowtie, white-haired wig, glasses, and mustache.
Also, fans could pick out that a framed photo of Kentucky Fried Chicken's famous colonel in the "Strange" singer-songwriter's dressing room.
Becoming The First Female Colonel Sanders
The new Colonel Harland Sanders debuted on YouTube on Jan. 25 in the food chain's one-minute video. Kentucky Fried Chicken takes its new colonel to a packed bar where he entertains the crowd. As the Colonel sings, he points out to McEntire who is among the bar's patrons.
In addition to being entertained by the Colonel, the bar regulars begin fighting over the brand's new smoky mountain barbecue chicken. The commercial ends with the appearance of police officers who lead the audience in a line dance routine and Sanders' hand picking up a piece of the smoky mountain barbecue chicken.
Dividing The Fanbase
McEntire's performance of the legendary fast food icon has polarized both the "Going Out Like That" singer-songwriter's fan base and the KFC fan base, however. Some fans appreciated McEntire's portrayal of the Colonel while others don't.
"Finally, women have broken the fried ceiling. Congratulations Reba," wrote one Twitter user.
"This is a Colonel Sanders the world can agree on," wrote another.
Others voiced harsh criticism to both McEntire and Kentucky Fried Chicken. They thought that they destroyed Colonel Sanders' reputation.
"For Pete's sake, when will you people let Harland rest in peace? Why don't you just film the next commercial dancing on his grave in Cave Hill?" wrote one Twitter user.
"No respect whatsoever for the real Colonel Sanders! KFC needs to stop the bumbling, and idiotic actor representations of a kind and gentle man!" wrote another.
Reba McEntire's Recent Performances
In addition to adding Colonel Sanders to her resume, McEntire has been busy working both the awards and television circuit. She performed "Back to God" with singer Lauren Daigle at the 2017 Academy of Country Music Awards.
McEntire also appeared as a guest judge on Season 11 of America's Got Talent and worked as a key adviser for all four coaches during The Voice Season 8. McEntire also guest starred on longtime friend, Melissa Peterman's Freeform series Baby Daddy.
Other performers that portrayed Colonel Sanders include Rob Lowe, George Hamilton, and Darrell Hammond.
Watch McEntire’s performance of Colonel Sanders below.