Who was the Seal in the Super Bowl commercial?
The singer turns into a seal—here’s the wild story behind Mountain Dew’s biggest ad of the year
(By Carmichael Phillip)
1. The surreal seal emerges
In one of the most bizarre TV spots of Super Bowl LIX, Mountain Dew’s Baja Blast ad features a literal seal serenading audiences on a rocky outcrop—except it isn’t just any seal. It’s the Grammy-winning singer Seal, voiced and rendered as a CGI seal, performing a reworked version of his ballad “Kiss From a Rose,” now hilariously retitled “Kiss From a Lime.”
2. How the seal fiasco unfolds
The ad stars Becky G and Mountain Dew’s iconic “Mountain Dude” lounging on a speedboat in tropical waters. After sipping Baja Blast, they’re whisked into a surreal realm filled with CGI-enhanced seals. Front and center is the Seal-seal hybrid, flippers and all, singing:
“Ooh, the more I think of it, it’s strange I’m a seal, yeah.”
Things escalate with volcanic eruptions, orcas breaching, and flippers flailing—an absurd carnival that is as memorable as it is unsettling.
3. Who directed the madness?
Award-winning director Taika Waititi—known for Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok, and What We Do in the Shadows—helmed the spot, ensuring a uniquely quirky tone that walks the fine line between humor and high-concept strangeness.
4. Seal’s take on the experience
Seal, 61, embraced the goofy role wholeheartedly. Sharing the ad on Instagram, he called it “fun,” and admitted he relished the chance to poke fun at himself. According to The Sun, he even hoped his kids would be “embarrassed at school”—or at least get a laugh.
5. Fan reactions: love it or loathe it
Social media lit up after the spot aired. Decider dubbed it “nightmare-inducing,” while critics debated whether it was genius or grotesque. Yet even horror-scene comparisons couldn’t drown out praise.
decider.com
Here’s a slice of Reddit chaos:
“The ad features the 15‑time Grammy nominee transformed into a literal seal… washes up on Baja Beach to serenade Becky G…”
6. Why it works—marketing behind the madness
Shock value: A human-faced seal is impossible to ignore.
Brand sync: “Kiss From a Lime” echoes Baja Blast’s lime-laced flavor.
Celebrity nostalgia: Seal’s signature voice ties back to ’90s pop culture.
Humor meets surreal: A fantasy-land ad sticks hard during a crowded Super Bowl ad slate.
7. The creative synergy
Mountain Dew and creative agency Goodby Silverstein & Partners, with Waititi steering, built a mash-up of citrus, absurdity, and celebrity swagger. The ad’s immersive experience extends beyond broadcast, with on-the-ground brand activations like Baja Beach pop-ups in New Orleans.
8. The production magic
The slick cinematography is backed by top-tier CGI: Seal’s likeness on a seal’s body, dynamic water effects, erupting volcanoes, orca choreography—all matched with precise audio editing to repurpose his classic hit. It’s surreal and seamless, with a punchy blend of familiarity and oddity.
9. Cultural impact & conversation
The ad bombarded social feeds, sparking memes and debates: “Is it brilliant or grotesque?” Regardless, it sparked commentary—exactly what brands pay for during the Super Bowl. Its ability to polarize is a testament to successful buzz-generation.
10. The consensus
While some viewers described it as “nightmare fuel,” others embraced it. The blend of nostalgia, celebrity, and unexpected visuals made it one of the most talked-about ads of the game—an intentional high-risk, high-reward gamble—or in this case, a belly flop that created tidal waves.
Kiss From A Lime (Official Super Bowl Spot) – Mountain Dew ft. Seal & Becky G
Conclusion
So, who was the seal in the Super Bowl commercial? It was none other than the iconic singer Seal, transformed via brilliant CGI into a literal seal launching a parody of his own song. With Taika Waititi at the helm, the ad champions audacious creativity: part nostalgia trip, part surreal comedy, wholly unforgettable.
Whether you found it hilarious or horrifying, it succeeded in leaving a mark—and in a Super Bowl ad lineup where everything’s designed to be noticed, that’s exactly what Mountain Dew wanted.
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