Kate McKinnon’s Viral Verizon Commercial: The Real Story Behind Those Red Heels

Have you ever watched a commercial so oddly captivating that you couldn’t help but finish it—equal parts cringing and curious? That was the collective reaction when Verizon debuted its now-infamous ad starring Saturday Night Live standout Kate McKinnon, who, at 5 feet 3½ inches (161.3 cm) and wearing a U.S. women’s shoe size 8, strutted across a minimalist set in striking red heels that seemed to have a mind of their own.

The moment instantly divided viewers: some couldn’t stop laughing, others couldn’t look away. What was meant to be a sleek, tech-forward campaign turned into a meme-worthy study in how even the most confident performer can struggle when the shoes don’t quite cooperate. And while the internet had plenty to say about her now-famous walk, McKinnon—ever the fearless comedian—turned a fashion misstep into pop-culture history.

The Physics and Fashion Behind Kate McKinnon’s Red Heels

Before diving into the details of her viral walk, it’s worth taking a closer look at the shoes themselves. McKinnon’s pair appears to be a classic, pointed-toe, single-sole stiletto pump — the kind of heel that looks flawless in still photos but can prove treacherous the moment you start to move.

The heels are estimated to be at least four inches (100mm) high, with a needle-thin stiletto shape that offers little stability compared to a block or platform heel. This makes every step a balancing act — an exercise in poise, precision, and core control.

Kate McKinnon struts through a minimalist Verizon set in sleek red pumps and a tailored black jumpsuit — a tongue-in-cheek nod to her off-balance comedic charm and confident heel game

From a physics standpoint, it’s easy to see why walking in these heels is so tricky. The combination of a high, narrow heel and a low platform shifts nearly all of the wearer’s weight onto the balls of the feet. With such a limited surface area to stabilize the body, even the slightest misstep can throw off balance, especially for someone not accustomed to wearing stilettos on a regular basis.

While the brand of Kate McKinnon’s viral red heels remains a closely guarded commercial secret, their distinct silhouette makes them a near-perfect stand-in for the classic power pump — a shoe designed to command attention, even when it challenges every single step.

Verizon’s History of Unforgettable—and Unavoidable—Commercials

“There’s nothing on TV more annoying than the Kate McKinnon Verizon commercials. I don’t get it. Why does she walk like that? Why does she talk like that? Why the weird faces? Is it supposed to be funny? I intensely hate these commercials,” @AngerE writes.

While Verizon’s catchphrases have driven plenty of viewers to the brink (“Can you hear me now?” still echoes in pop culture memory), there’s no denying the brand’s marketing team knows how to create moments that stick. From the early 2000s’ earworm ads to Kate McKinnon’s viral heel-wobbling walk, Verizon has long mastered the art of crafting commercials you can’t escape—no matter how many times you’ve already seen them.

Commanding the camera with her trademark intensity, Kate McKinnon blends business chic and bold femininity, pairing structured tailoring with bright red stilettos that steal the spotlight

Kate McKinnon’s Viral Verizon Walk: When Style Becomes the Punchline

This was especially true of Verizon’s now-infamous commercial starring Emmy Award winner and Saturday Night Live favorite Kate McKinnon.

Originally intended as a polished, celebrity-driven spot, it has since taken on a life of its own — resurfacing across social media as a nostalgic example of how even the most seasoned performer can struggle when style meets physics.

Instead of offering viewers a catchy new punchline to share with family and friends, the commercial has delivered something even more memorable: an awkward walk that’s perfect for mimicking during charades game nights.

In her viral Verizon spot, Kate McKinnon delivers her signature walk-and-talk energy in classic red heels — turning a tech ad into an unexpectedly stylish, meme-worthy runway moment

The commercial features Leslie Jones’s best friend, Kate McKinnon, clambering around like a newly born giraffe amongst a sea of Verizon customers. Since its release, viewers have been criticizing it extensively, especially on Reddit.

How Social Media Reacted to Kate McKinnon’s Heel-Struggling Walk

One Reddit user commented more compassionately and sympathetically, stating, “She walks around like she’s never worn heels, which is likely.

Why wouldn’t they (the commercial producers) put her in flats or some other sensible shoe option that lets her walk comfortably?”.

While you would think that other viewers would share this same empathetic tone, you will be shocked once you scroll through the rest of the harsh comments left on Reddit and other platforms, such as YouTube, which are currently displaying the mess that is known as the Kate McKinnon Verizon commercial.

Viewers are describing Kate McKinnon’s walk as that of a robot or a velociraptor that you can see gawking around in Jurassic Park.

Viewers of this commercial all share one thing: they can’t stand the way Kate McKinnon is scrambling around in the heels the commercial’s producers must have peer-pressured her into wearing.

A commenter on YouTube remarked, “I’ve seen Boston Dynamics robots walk more gracefully in heels.” Someone else on the Reddit thread observed that Kate “walks like the velociraptors in Jurassic Park in those heels.

I’ve never seen a woman less graceful in heels than her. “No matter how many comments the commercial receives, one thing is clear: Kate McKinnon needs some profound lessons on how to walk in heels.

Red Heels That Stole the Spotlight Before Kate McKinnon

Even before Kate McKinnon’s viral Verizon moment, red heels have had a long history of commanding attention — both on and off the red carpet. From bold designer statements to unforgettable pop-culture moments, these fiery shoes have always symbolized power, confidence, and drama.

Kate’s ad may have reignited the conversation, but it certainly wasn’t the first time a pair of red heels stole the spotlight. Explore some of the most iconic scarlet-shoe moments below: