Is Kate McKinnon the woman in the Philips Sonicare toothbrush commercial?
Separating fact from speculation in celebrity advertising
(By Carmichael Phillip)
Advertising has long used the power of celebrity to lend credibility, memorability, and humor to products. When you see a familiar face in a commercial, you lean in, wondering whether it’s truly them, or simply a look-alike, or even just their voice or likeness offered under contract. In recent years, Philips Sonicare has released a campaign featuring a quirky character called Susan Toothbrush, and many viewers have wondered: is the person we see—especially the prominently featured woman actor—really Kate McKinnon? In this article, we’ll explore that question, review the public evidence, and draw a reasoned conclusion.
Kate McKinnon’s Involvement with the Sonicare Campaign
Philips has publicly confirmed the partnership with Kate McKinnon for the Sonicare “Switch” campaign.
In the campaign, McKinnon portrays Susan Toothbrush, a whimsical, tongue-in-cheek character who “pops in” to chide people for using “ancient bristle sticks” and encourages them to upgrade to a Sonicare power toothbrush.
According to Philips’s press release, McKinnon “stars in a series of ads as Susan Toothbrush, a sophisticated oral healthcare enthusiast whose mission is to help people upgrade their antiquated toothbrushing habits.”
Media outlets also describe scenes in which McKinnon physically appears in spots—walking through walls, entering bathrooms unannounced, and interacting with characters in person.
For example, one spot titled Interview shows her standing behind a man in his bathroom, pointing out his “ancient bristle stick” and handing him a Sonicare device.
The creative framing and attribution clearly place McKinnon in a visual acting role, not just a voice role.
Also, on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, McKinnon discussed her new character and how she got involved in the campaign.
Thus, based on public documents, McKinnon is indeed part of the campaign—and visually so.
Visual Evidence: She Does Appear On Screen
Let’s examine the video evidence. One commercial titled Beauty Routine – Sonicare Switch clearly features a woman interacting with a toothbrush in a domestic setting.
In another ad titled Interview (official spot from Philips), we see the “Susan Toothbrush” character appear in a bathroom and deliver dialogue.
Promotional and industry writeups consistently refer to McKinnon appearing on camera as Susan Toothbrush. For instance, the MMM Online article states that McKinnon “stars in a campaign video … as Susan Toothbrush … who ‘comes through walls to help people make better decisions’.”
DesignRush also describes her “comedic chops and excellent character work” in the commercials.
Given that Philips itself and marketing press are calling her the physical star of the campaign, we have strong evidence that the actress seen in the Philips Sonicare ads is in fact Kate McKinnon.
Why Certainty Deserves Scrutiny: Could It Be a Double or Body Double?
Even when a company names a celebrity in a campaign, questions sometimes remain. Here are some possible complications, and how they stack up in this case:
Use of a body double or stand-in: In some commercials, the actual celebrity records voiceovers, but a body double or stunt actor appears visually. However, in this case, the campaign is openly billed as “Kate McKinnon plays Susan Toothbrush,” with promotional material and interviews supporting that she physically appears.
Digital face replacement or CGI doppelgänger: With modern advertising budgets, some companies may employ facial overlays or digital manipulation. But there is no indication that the Sonicare ads rely on CGI face replacement—rather, the visuals resemble in-person shots, lighting, blocking, and interactions. The campaign shared by Philips and industry sites does not suggest such heavy post-production techniques beyond normal editing and effects.
Use of archival footage or stock footage: Sometimes, advertisers repurpose archived images or video. But the scenario here involves new, campaign-specific content—complete with McKinnon promoting a new product version and character, and offering commentary in interviews.
Ambiguity in credits: If an actress is uncredited or only credited by role name, some viewers might doubt whether she’s the named celebrity. However, in iSpot’s ad catalog, Interview – Sonicare Switch lists Kate McKinnon as Actor/Actress.
iSpot
Campaign teaser vs actual actor substitution: A possibility in rare cases is that a high-profile name is used to promote a campaign teaser, but production spots later use a substitute. But given the public confirmation and consistent visuals, that seems unlikely here.
On balance, while one must remain open to production caveats, the weight of evidence strongly suggests that Kate McKinnon is indeed the woman seen in the Philips Sonicare toothbrush commercials.
What the Campaign Means: Celebrity Role, Character Creation, and Brand Strategy
Philips’s decision to cast Kate McKinnon is not just about name recognition. In fact, McKinnon herself is reported to have pitched the concept of Susan Toothbrush, though she worked with Philips and their creative partners to refine it.
In the ads, she embodies a character—Susan Toothbrush—rather than appearing as “Kate McKinnon” promoting a product. That gives the brand creative flexibility and comedic narrative value. The character pops in unexpectedly, commenting on toothbrushing habits, delivering whimsical lines, and interacting physically with the environment.
From the brand’s standpoint:
Memorable branding: The personification of a toothbrush as a character is humorous, distinctive, and more likely to stick in viewers’ minds.
Authentic endorsement: Because McKinnon appears herself and discusses the campaign openly in interviews, the audience sees her sincerity.
Social & media buzz: Celebrity involvement draws press and social media picks—e.g. her guesting on Jimmy Fallon to promote the campaign.
Creative control: By pitching the idea herself, McKinnon likely had a stake in tone and character design, making the campaign more aligned with her comedic style.
Extensibility: The character can live on beyond a single spot, giving Philips potential for serial content, social media spin-offs, and brand storytelling.
In short, she is not just the “woman in the commercial” but the central creative force in a branded, comedic narrative.
Conclusion: Yes—Kate McKinnon Is the Woman in the Philips Sonicare Commercial
To directly answer the question:
Philips has officially named Kate McKinnon as their star in the Sonicare “Switch” campaign.
She plays the character Susan Toothbrush, appearing visually on camera in the advertisements.
Video evidence from official Philips ads shows a woman (who matches McKinnon) physically interacting in bathrooms, delivering lines, and performing character behavior.
Industry sources emphasize she pitched the idea for her character and was deeply involved in creative development, which supports her being more than just a distant likeness or disembodied voice.
Therefore, the evidence strongly supports the assertion: Yes, Kate McKinnon is the woman in the Philips Sonicare toothbrush commercial. She is not merely lending her name or voice; she is actively performing on camera in the campaign as the persona Susan Toothbrush.
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