Who Is Wild Tina?
The Mystery Body‑Double in Tina Fey’s Booking.com Ad
(By Javier Guerra)
Setting the Scene: Booking.com’s Super Bowl Return
At Super Bowl LVIII (February 11, 2024), Booking.com premiered a highly anticipated 30-second ad featuring comedic legend Tina Fey and nods to 30 Rock collaborators like Jane Krakowski and Jack McBrayer. The concept was clever: Tina hires multiple versions of herself to showcase diversity in travel styles—enter “Wild Tina.”
Who Is Wild Tina? The Iconic Reveal
In the extended commercial, “Wild Tina” makes an unforgettable entrance—a country‑farming version, ready to ride horses on a working ranch. The surprise reveal? Glenn Close playing her. Fey confronts her:
“Who the hell are you?”
to which Close-as-Wild Tina coolly responds, embodied by her poised demeanor in cowboy chic.
NBC Insider summed it up: “The commercial gets even more absurd as we’re introduced to another body double, ‘Wild Tina,’ played by stage and screen legend Glenn Close.”
The Star‑Studded Cast of Tinas
The ad features several Tina personas:
“Splurgy Tina” (Jane Krakowski) – Luxe‑loving, Rodeo Drive‑style shopper.
“Rustic Tina” (Jack McBrayer) – The laid‑back, Big Foot-esque hiker.
“Wild Tina” (Glenn Close) – Ideal for a farm/ranch getaway.
“Influencer Tina” and “30,000‑Steps Tina” round out the travel archetypes.
Booking.com’s message was clear: “With so many choices on Booking.com, there are so many Tina Feys I could be.”
Why Glenn Close? The Star Power Behind Wild Tina
Bringing in Glenn Close—an Academy Award‑winning actress—elevated the ad from clever concept to cultural moment. NBC Insider notes it felt like a mini 30 Rock reunion, with Close’s swivel‑highlights performance as Wild Tina spiking fan excitement.
Close’s calm, understated delivery—answered by Fey—adds comedic gravity. That encounter between two power performers makes Wild Tina unforgettable.
Audience Reaction & Pop‑Culture Vibes
Reaction was explosive. Fans on Reddit celebrated the surprise:
“The commercial gets even more absurd…”
Travel + Leisure described the campaign’s spectrum—from “Splurgy Tina” to “Wild Tina”—as perfect reflections of modern travel personas.
The buzz online confirmed that Wild Tina wasn’t just an extra—it was a moment, a storyline, a star reveal.
Behind the Ad: The Booking.com Strategy
This campaign illuminates Booking.com’s messaging goal: offering personalized travel experiences through one platform. Arjan Dijk, SVP & CMO of Booking.com, says:
“This year’s ‘Booking.yeah’ campaign shows that travelers can book whoever they want to be by using our seamless app…”
Each Tina doubles as a metaphor for traveler identity—whether indulgent, rustic, wild, or social media‑savvy.
Connecting with the 30 Rock Legacy
Tina Fey’s longtime fans loved the callbacks. Including 30 Rock cast members—Krakowski, McBrayer—and closing with Glenn Close felt like a nostalgic reunion. NBC Insider even called it a:
“Mini 30 Rock reunion”
This layered approach blends brand messaging with playful fan service—making Wild Tina both ad and event.
Quotes from the Stars Themselves
Though the commercial script did the talking, close attention to their expressions reveals the playful chemistry between Fey and Close. No leaked interviews yet, but media reported both actresses embraced the concept.
Fey’s on‑camera precision matched with Close’s laid‑back, slightly mischievous turn behind the question “Who the hell are you?” brought comic relief and intrigue in equal measure.
The Legacy of Wild Tina
Wild Tina isn’t just a one-off gag. She represents a trend where ads transcend product to become events—moments worth discussing.
The campaign:
Showcased Booking.com’s variety intuitively via personas.
Harnessed surprise celebrity cameo to ignite media buzz.
Engaged 30 Rock nostalgia, doubling pull among loyal fans.
Conclusion: Who Is Wild Tina?
Wild Tina is Glenn Close—a powerful, unexpected presence in Booking.com’s Super Bowl spot. Her appearance, alongside other Tina personas, offered a witty portrayal of travel identity and booking possibility.
By merging star power, nostalgia, and strategic messaging, Booking.com created an ad as modern and memorable as those 30-second theaters of old. Wild Tina stands as proof: sometimes, the best surprises come perfectly disguised in familiar faces.
So when you ask, “Who is Wild Tina?”—the answer is a legend in disguise, galloping into our hearts from the silver screen into a Super Bowl commercial, riding high on Booking.com’s adventurous vision.
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