Carey too old

A popular game developer's move to replace US supermodel Kate Upton with pop diva Mariah Carey in its TV and Internet ads has not gone down well with gamers.

Last Friday, TMZ reported that Carey, 45, (inset) had inked a seven-figure endorsement deal and will take over the spot reserved for Upton, 23.

The ads for mobile phone app Game of War: Fire Age can be seen on TV here and in YouTube video ads.

The report also said that Alan Taylor, director of sci-fi film Terminator: Genisys, will be helming the 30-second commercial that will be shot over two days, reported Business Insider.

Game of War is a popular city building game and is said to make US$1 million (S$1.34 million) a day, mainly when players buy in-game items.

As of last month, the game ranked as the No. 2 top grossing app on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

Despite the popularity of the game with players, almost every article about the game mentions Carey's new coup.

"Most people would not hate her if she would act and dress like a lady and learn to accept her real age. Instead she acts and dresses like an ageing prostitute who is still pretending to be 19 years old," wrote user arthookey in the article on TMZ.

When the women-oriented blog Jezebel wrote about Carey's new deal, comments like "So they replaced young boobs, with old boobs," by commenter GELLA-LLAP appeared.

On Twitter, users like Luke O'Malley wrote "Why is an old fat lady like @MariahCarey becoming spokesperson for #GameofWar? Why not hire someone current and relevant like @ladygaga?"

Ageism in the entertainment industry has been a huge issue, but it has come up more often over the past year.

Veteran pop star Madonna has helped draw attention to the issue, both directly and indirectly. She talked about ageism in a recent issue of Billboard.

She said: "If I have to be the person who opens the door for women to believe and understand and embrace the idea that they can be sexual and look good and be as relevant in their 50s or their 60s or whatever as they were in their 20s, then so be it."

Carey has yet to respond to the online criticism.

This article was first published on June 15, 2015.
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