Meeting the Man Our Men Could Smell Like

Old Spice spokesperson Isaiah Mustafa graced our humble city with his presence today, for a meet-and-greet at the Eaton Centre.

By Robin Hatch • Photo by Lodoe-Laura Haines-Wangda

Not one, not two, but three Isaiah Mustafas in one shot. Now that's value.

This morning, we visited the Eaton Centre for a two-hour meet-and-greet with former NFL practice squad wide receiver Isaiah Mustafa, best known for his role as “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” in recent Old Spice ads. The photograph opportunity conveniently accompanied the launch of the new Old Spice scent, “Fiji,” samples of which were distributed to those who obliged to have their photo taken and uploaded to the company’s Facebook page.

Just after 11:30 a.m., a (fully clothed) Mustafa showed up at the Old Spice set, which looked like it might belong to a mall Santa’s rogue, porn-addicted brother. Adorned in a “CANADA” scarf likely thrown on by a publicist at the last minute, Mustafa posed for photos on the arm of a white leather chair, next to a gift-wrapped replica of the Venus de Milo and a giant foil-wrapped chocolate Santa, while a chocolate fountain tried its best to erupt on his left. The slogan on displays around the set had notably been changed from “The man your man could smell like” to the phrase “The gift your man could smell like.”

Aside from the scattered turnout of thirty- or forty-something ladies, the lineup consisted primarily of teenaged boys, who appeared to justify the occasion by making fun of their friends: “Hey Adrian! You don’t have to buy deodorant this month! You get some for free!” The best part about these boys were the decisions they made on how to pose for the photos. Some of them avoid the chair altogether, opting to stand and point a self-aware finger at Mustafa. Some sat on the chair, but on the opposite arm, as if to say “My status is equivalent to the Old Spice guy’s” when really, once the photo is uploaded to Facebook, all it will say is “Wearing Old Spice has made my status equivalent to the Old Spice spokesman.” Very clever, Old Spice!