Ryan Reynolds has managed to upset an entire state after promoting his new boxed wine by implying Minnesotans would ‘get it’ more than highbrow East Coasters, Daily Mail reports.
According to the report by Daily Mail, the Deadpool star, 49, spoke to the Star Tribune about his cheeky decision to launch his new low-cost boxed wine brand, Ugly Estates, exclusively in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but instead of charming locals, he sparked backlash with what many felt were condescending digs at the state and its residents.
‘You want to go to places that will get it,’ Ryan Reynolds said when explaining why Minnesotans, in particular, would embrace boxed wine. ‘I don’t think Martha’s Vineyard is going to really embrace this the way Minnesota might.’
Despite his best efforts to woo Midwesterners, locals didn’t find the remarks cute or endearing
‘News flash to Ryan – most people who drink wine here don’t drink boxed wine,’ one Instagram user fumed online.
Ryan Reynolds went on to call Minnesota an ‘underdog’ state, even though U.S. News & World Report ranks it the fourth best state in the country overall, and described its people as cold-weather creatives who huddle together and get funny ‘because you’re freezing your butt off in the winter months.’
‘So apparently we drink boxed wine and laugh because we’re cold,’ one commenter scoffed.
The Aviation Gin mogul, who admitted he’s only visited Minnesota twice in his life, also leaned into the region’s famously exaggerated accent, referencing Fargo.
‘I come from Canada. They love making fun of our accent, and they love going after the Minnesota accent and doing a little caricature,’ Reynolds said. ‘When I’m watching Fargo or something like that, I’m like, “I don’t hear it the way you do.” I just hear my mom the way she talks.’
In response, one Instagram user shot back: ‘I know no one that speaks like that here.’
Ryan Reynolds also described his wine as ‘ugly wine – good wine, but done in a way that is super affordable,’ saying the brand ‘lean[s] into the mischief.’
Still, Minnesotans weren’t laughing.
‘What is this guy even saying?? The whole marketing strategy behind this is so bizarre… like who does he think hes enticing??’ one asked.
Another wrote: ‘He thinks Minnesotans are cheap and lack taste.’
‘Did he and Blake not get the memo that they’re canceled?!? BYE!!’ a third fired.
A fourth critic chimed in to comment: ‘As a Minnesota resident… I’ll pass.’
‘Stop buying or talking about him!! This is what that moron wants — attention,’ one angry resident wrote.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Reynolds as well as Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, but have not heard back, at this time.
Reynolds has not publicly responded to the outrage, but has refrained from sharing the Star Tribune interview on social media.
Minnesota is home to 5.793 million people and is the birthplace to many stars including Prince, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Bob Dylan and more.