We may never know if Grace from Boston actually wanted a Peloton for Christmas. But you won’t find the $2,245 stationary bike beloved by Ivanka Trump on actress Monica Ruiz’s holiday wish list.
Ruiz plays Grace in the company’s divisive new commercial about a husband surprising his wife with a Peloton. The spot quickly racked up 8.8 million views on YouTube, along with online criticisms for being sexist, classist, and tone-deaf. The internet also voiced legitimate concern for Ruiz, whose facial expression throughout the 30-second clip is, as someone pointed out, “straight terror.” (“It’s like an episode of Black Mirror,” one Twitter user wrote; “Save the Peloton Wife!” said another.)
Ruiz assured the world she’s alive and well—and not trapped in a dystopian alternate universe—on the Today show. Now, the mother of two is anxious to leave Pelotongate behind and celebrate Christmas with family, food, and lots of gifts. Here, Ruiz tells ELLE.com what she’s asking for this year: