📌 In This Deep Dive
The new 90s-inspired Verizon commercial features Keke Palmer stepping into a retro VHS fitness workout powered by Black Box’s 1990 Italo House classic “Everybody Everybody.” By pairing a high-energy Hollywood star with an iconic Eurodance anthem, the campaign leverages classic dance music nostalgia to highlight Verizon’s latest annual iPhone trade-in deals. This deep dive unravels the pop culture history behind the track, the lip-syncing controversy that shaped its legacy, and the marketing psychology that makes this pair so effective.
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Classic style, new smartphone: Verizon’s latest commercial actually feels like a Peloton ad, if Peloton had been around in the 80s. The lead actress looks incredible, the workout moves are infectious, and all while she’s casually explaining how Verizon’s new plans can get you a brand new iPhone every single year.
That effortless confidence, those moves that practically jump off the screen right into your living room… even the one-liners stick with you, and that “give it to your mama” line is bound to become a massive catchphrase this season. Naturally, plenty of viewers are wondering who the lead actress is and what song is behind that irresistible beat: both play a huge role in what makes the new Verizon commercial work. We’ve got you covered with all the details.
Keke Palmer, the actress in the new Verizon “VHS style” commercial
Who better than Keke Palmer to pull off a commercial like Verizon’s new spot, which channels that hyperactive energy of 90s VHS fitness tapes? Her energy is unmatched, and her appeal cuts across every generation, from those who grew up watching her on Nickelodeon to younger viewers who know her from viral trends on TikTok and X. In between, there are those who loved her performance in movies like Nope or know her through songs like Hands Free.
Actress, singer, TV personality, and social media creator, Keke Palmer is pretty much whatever you want her to be, so it’s no surprise she’s widely considered one of the most influential figures around. Put her in a Verizon ad, ask her to act out a workout tape while explaining phone plans and new smartphones, and there she is, looking as if she’s been doing it forever. She throws out moves and catchphrases that clearly belong to her own personality, rather than feeling scripted for a corporate commercial.
For an ad with such a sharp retro vibe, though, you need an unforgettable song to match…
The song in the Verizon commercial: “Everybody Everybody” by Black Box
The song fueling the workout routine in the new Verizon commercial is “Everybody Everybody” by Black Box, an explosive 1990 anthem that instantly hooks anyone who hears it. It is proof that Eurodance never truly dies, carrying a timeless energy that still moves people today. In fact, that unique sound is something we recently explored through our dedicated Eurodance playlist.
Black Box encapsulated that classic dance formula better than almost anyone: heavy piano riffs, driving house beats, and soaring, gospel-infused vocals. Behind the group was an Italian songwriting and production team that crafted a string of massive global hits during a time when “Italians did it better.” It was an era where Italian producers regularly dominated international charts, often using models to front the group while producing the tracks behind closed doors.
Their fame has lasted to this day, even after surviving the early 90s lip-syncing scandal surrounding the track’s uncredited vocals, a controversy that feels like ancient history in today’s music industry. Lyrically, the song is actually about heartbreak and trying to get away from a bad relationship, but the heavy club beat completely steals the spotlight and drives the momentum.
That unstoppable beat paired with Keke Palmer’s physical charisma makes for an incredible combination. Neither element outshines the other: instead, they lock together to create a commercial where nothing else would have worked quite as well.
