I don’t know about you but those Ikea commercials featuring the older sister had me wondering a few things. My first thought was what’s the point? Most recently, I really wanted to know just who this lady with the deep voice and ominous presence is. Well, I searched and searched to find the answer and I found the answer in Ellen Gray’s column in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The actress’ name in Venida Evans. Sound familiar? Not to me either. Well, it seems that Ms. Evans was in “Brown Sugar” in one of those if you blinked you missed it roles. But she’s also done her rounds on Dick Wolf’s “Law & Order” juggernaut (you know L&O, SVU and Criminal Intent) playing such roles as Foreperson (3 times) as well as some roles that had actual names.
According to imdb.com (International Movie Data Base), Ms. Evans has been getting credited roles since 1981 but it is this series of strange commercials that has gotten everyone talking and reacting to her. Because nobody is lukewarm about the spots, it is instant love or hate.
Turns out the advertising agency that created these spots was trying to throw a little M. Night Shyamalan mystery into the mix with a bit of the “Sixth Sense” ambiguity. But this is far less successful (and also less quirky than say those ask.com commercials). Turns out Evans is supposed to be a ghost/muse/conscious that possesses a Mary Poppins-like quality. Instead she more like Emma Thompson’s Nanny McPhee whose presence is quite unsettling (especially when she has her shoes on while lying in the bed). It also evokes the wise black woman who imparts her wisdom to her employers vibe.
Creepy as these commercials may be, the attention they are getting may be a good thing for Ms. Evans. I hope they run for a while longer not only so she can keep the residual checks coming but so that some casting agent might see this sister as someone who can do more than be the foreperson of the jury.
Here’s Evans in the Ikea “Chocolate” commercial, but there are also two others:
If you liked this post, we think you might like these too:
December 9th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Personally, I love the commercials. Yes Ms. Evans’ voice and demeanor are somewhat creepy, but she is supposed to reflect the conscious of the actor engaging with an IKEA product.
December 10th, 2008 at 11:58 am
i Love this women ..she is great.. i stop everything im doing to watch her and the ad about her not being judgemental is the very best ever ! keep up the great work ikea !
December 13th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
ugh, I don’t really see what you guys see in these commercials. Ultimately, it makes me want to buy Ikea stuff less
December 14th, 2008 at 12:20 am
It catches your attention; and I am behind the not being judgmental aspect of the ad…cool lady
December 14th, 2008 at 1:51 am
umm i think the lady is just flat out creepy and unwelcoming. Ikea can come up with something better then that. Come on
December 14th, 2008 at 10:00 am
I love the ads. I think they’re eerily cool, very reminiscent of the oracle in “The Matrix”. Anytime a sister can be portrayed as a wise sage, I’m for it cause it doesn’t happen too often.
December 15th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
I love that lady. She’s a bit creepy – it’s the voice – but I too will stop what I’m doing to watch her! She’s like our grandmoms (bubbe’s) watching over us (and making comments!)
December 15th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Deb, I love the grandmother reference. The commercials defintely catch my eye. And I am glad that an older woman in collecting some cash in the form of residuals since the spots run day and night.
December 25th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Corynne, thanx for the shout-out. My intent is certainly NOT to ‘creep out’ anyone, I think I’m really validating the consumer’s good judgment.
December 29th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
MzVe, Thanks for checking us and out and giving us your take on your commercials.
January 2nd, 2009 at 3:05 am
I love the commercials with Venida. It’s not creepy, it’s your conscience. But i also love the lady running saying Start the car! Start the car!
January 8th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
I absolutely adore these commercials from the first time I saw one. I think this lady is so cool and witty
January 14th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Well if they were going for sixth sense, they and Venida Evans certainly succeeded in portraying it. I do remember seeing her in the Bridal shower scene in “Brown Sugar” and a few times in law and order. I’m also hearing the commercials on the radio even in spanish. You can find her filmography on internet movie database (imdb.com). But she’s no newbie, she’s been in movies, plays, commercials, and voice overs for years. It’s about time, congrats Ve!
January 15th, 2009 at 9:19 am
i love those commercials!!!!
January 28th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
I Love those commercials! They’re funny! She’s got a great presence and luminosity to her that is hard to not watch! I especially love the one where she tells the girl “you can go to a club, meet a nice man, or woman, I don’t judge” hahaha….it’s hilarious cuz the chick does look like she could be into either sex. Maybe it’s just me, but I really do enjoy those commercials!!!!
January 29th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
These commercials make me laugh everytime I see them. Maybe my sense of humor is on the weird side, but I love them.
January 30th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
I love her commercials too. Their kinda weird, but funny too. I’m trying to find the latest commercial I heard on the radio today. Ms Evans is talking about a of mom whose kids get in bed with her at “all hours of the night”. Her last line is “when it comes to beauty sleep, us ladies need all the help we can get”. I love that line! I want the script for a voice acting class. This ad is fits my sense of humor. Any idea where to find it online? Thanks for any help
January 31st, 2009 at 5:08 pm
My husband and I are addicted to her Ikea commericals; I predict she’s going to be the next Wendy’s lady (catch phraase of a lifetime– Ms. Evans will be “I don’t judge”), and my husband has declared her his new hero….wish ther was a way to contact her to request an auto…anyone know jow, please feel free to contact me at mortuarygirlz@yahoo.com
February 1st, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I love those commercials!
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:47 am
I LOVE her IKEA spots!!!! I stop everything I am doing to watch her and look forward to the next one. IKEA, she is golden. I also love the lady who runs screaming from the store, “Start the car, start the car.” Genius!
February 2nd, 2009 at 6:16 pm
I adore Venida and her Ikea commercials! Thanks, Corynne, for helping to bring her identity to the forefront. It’s amazing to me that some people think she’s creepy! Huh??? I find her voice wonderful and her delivery is sensational! I knew I’d seen her somewhere, but now I will remember her name! And thanks, Ikea, for your clever ads with Venida!
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I hate those commercials. They give me the creeps.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:26 am
I have never seen that Chocolate commercial. Its the bomb. And, no, Ms. Venida you as a person are not creepy but those damned IKEA ads are! But I do love ‘em so.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Hands down, “I don’t judge” is my all time fav commercial. I love that woman!
February 4th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
I am trying to find the other one…where she’s sitting next to the lady’s bed while she’s sleeping…do you know where i can get it?
February 4th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
For some reason, the only commercial I could find was the one I posted. And although Ms. Evans has done a few more since then I still can’t find them anywhere.
February 4th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Thanks anyway. I hope they post them soon. I love that one.
February 5th, 2009 at 2:46 am
I’m sorry the first time I saw that commercial I said got the chills. Sista girl is creepy!
February 5th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
FINALLY GOT HER NAME.. SHE’S GREAT! I THOUGHT SHE SOUNDED LIKE THE WOMAN FROM THE MATRIX. NOW I HOPE SHE GETS MORE JOBS.
February 5th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Creepy? Eerie? Unsettling? What the hell y’all talkin about? There’s nothing creepy or unsettling about these commercials? When I first saw this woman, I thought she was a jazz singer because of her smoky voice. Obviously I was wrong, but I don’t find this person as an eerie ghost. When I see her, I get a feeling of comfort. It’s like she’s the concious of the people. Or a Watchful Grandmother.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
I love the commercials I think they are very creative. Ms. Evans does a wonderful job – whether she is the voice in your head or just the spirit of IKEA or that Grandmother or Aunt that always has a thought on your life – she grabs your attention and pulls the lines and attitude off perfect. I hear her and I have to stop and watch even if it is one I have seen already. The one with the lady about putting together the piece of furniture and she says maybe you can buy some clothes and find you a man or woman – I’m not judging – from a mature lady like her makes me smile everytime and I don’t find things funny enough to smile often. Thank you and may you have a long career.
February 12th, 2009 at 9:19 am
I’m adding to the rest and agree that I also LOVE these new ikea ads
February 13th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
I actually enjoy the commercials. There is something about Ms. Evans that draws me in. I don’t know what it is, but I think it’s the sound of her voice and her cool demeanor. She’s also very effective in the Spanish commercials. I can be wrong, she sounds Cuban. Thank you IKEA and Ms. Evans for such great commercials!
February 19th, 2009 at 5:21 am
If they make a movie of the book, The Shack she would be perfect for the part of God.
February 26th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I agree with Bambi- she’d be perfect for that role. BTW, it’s “presence”, not “precense”.
February 27th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
I LOVE those commercials. They grab my attention and leave me smiling or laughing. Ms. Evans is PERFECT. I hope the commercials provide her more opportunities to showcase her talent.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
My wife and I love these commercials. Ms Evans is wonderful. They definitely captured our attention and leave us wanting more. The commercials are mysterious and like a blank page that we can write our own stories on. The line “but I don’t judge” cracks us up and is destined to be a new catch phrase. I will shop at Ikea if it means more commercials with Ms Evans.
March 1st, 2009 at 5:23 am
Ms. Evans is a great talent! The Ikea commercials are creative and sophisticated. There are so many nuances. They’re also diverse, non sexist and non ageist. She’s not creepy in any sense of the word. Her delivery is on point. She’s attractive, interesting and I like her voice. She makes me think as well as smile. The advertising agency was right on target and Ikea made an excellent choice. I wish her continued success.
March 28th, 2009 at 9:00 am
These commercials are AMAZING! I love her.
March 29th, 2009 at 10:30 am
IKEA should run these commercials forever. The do exactly what they’re supposed to: capture your attention and keep IKEA on your mind. Like everyone else, I stop whenever I hear her voice. Could an advertiser ask for more?
April 4th, 2009 at 9:05 am
I LOVE THIS COMMERCIAL. I LOVE VENIDA EVANS. SHE IS FABULOUS. USUALLY I DO NOT TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK AT COMMERCIALS BUT I STOP EVERY TIME TO WATCH THIS COMMMERCIAL. MUCH FUTURE SUCCESS TO MS. EVANS.
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:46 am
HATE HATE HATE HAAAAATE these Ikea commercials!!!! They are way too strange and pointless. Creepy is too nice a word for this woman in this role. I think it puts the image of black women in a very unattractive light in so many ways and someone should tell this actress to STOP. It must be ruining her career! I thank God for my DVR because I can fast forward through her commercials…especially the stupid one where she tells the man “I like the way you frost…” Eeww – it’s just WRONG in so many ways…ugggh… Thanks for letting me have a place to vent. I apologize to all the others who love this commercial, but now you know that not everyone likes them. Try google. You’ll see the majority of people hate these commercials too.
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:53 am
It’s like someone got the bad idea that just because Tyler Perry’s character Madea is so popular, they would try to piggyback on it. Doesn’t she look like a SAD version of Madea? So gross…sorry my vent is now over.
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:05 pm
WHERE CAN I WATCH THE COMMERCIAL WITH “I LIKE THE WAY YOU FROST”?! I’VE BEEN SEARCHING FOREVERRR.
May 21st, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Ms. Evans was on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” today, May 21, 2009. I Googled her name because I thought she might be the Ikea “spirit”.
May 21st, 2009 at 10:23 pm
What, I am so sorry I missed her. What was she doing on the show? Was she a contestant?
May 22nd, 2009 at 10:14 am
BTW – When I said creepy, I’m referring to the fact that she’s watching everything and everybody. Kinda ghostly and that’s what creeps me out a bit.
That being said, I keep quoting the “I don’t judge” line a LOT! Love that one!
May 26th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I’m looking for the one when she says “I like the way you frost” at the end. Where can I find that commercial?
May 26th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Kevin, you can try You Tube. Perhaps someone has uploaded some of her new commercials by now. I had a hard time finding them.
May 27th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Very interesting commercials indeed! Now can someone tell me the name of the black lady who plays Mother Nature CEO in the Vitamin Water ads?
May 31st, 2009 at 1:54 am
For me it’s love at first sound … she sounds like me great-grand-mother … I just love that voice!!!
June 10th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
i thought she was a man at first in women clothing.her voice is weird but it is attracting makes me want to hear it more.