Some men will never learn.
The actor who complained about being shamed for his role in a controversial Christmas ad for Peloton just gave one of the pricey exercise bikes as a present for the holiday — to his girlfriend.
Sean Hunter, dubbed the “Peloton Husband,” posted a photo to Instagram on Christmas Day showing his real-life love smiling atop the brand-new Peloton.
“Here’s hoping this goes over better the second time. . . . Merry Christmas to my actual girlfriend (pls don’t leave me),” the Vancouver-based actor wrote on his account, @pelotonhusband.
His girlfriend’s grin was a far cry from the uncomfortable look his co-star, Monica Ruiz, gave him in the much-maligned TV commercial for the stationary bikes, which can go for more than $2,000.
The ad ignited a firestorm this month, with many calling it sexist for its depiction of a man giving his wife a gift to make her thinner and for its portrayal of her anxiously complying as she records herself pedaling away.
Hunter has publicly expressed shock over the criticism.
“It was a two-day shoot. I have one line . . . We finished, and I went back to my normal life. And when it comes out, boom, all this negative backlash. It blows me away,” he said on ABC’s “Strahan, Sara & Keke.”
His Christmas post got a kinder response.
“I still think it’s an awesome gift! It’s pretty funny you tried this a second time!! Merry Christmas!,” wrote @kfriday817.
“I call this a happy ending!” said @brianne2k.
As for his “Peloton Wife,” Ruiz has expressed her own surprise at the backlash — and has assured her concerned public, “I’m OK.”
The actress — who landed a role in an ad for the actor Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin as a result of the controversy — told the “Today” show’s Hoda Kotb that she hopes “people can remember that I’m not actually the Peloton lady and let me work other jobs.”
Meanwhile, some folks have apparently ignored the ad backlash.
Former “Bachelor” star Colton Underwood tweeted: “I used the peloton commercial as inspiration and I got Cassie a year gym membership . . . she loved it btw.”
Another user, @hayleynicole_99, wrote, “my dad got my mom a peloton bike for christmas. i am living the nightmare.”
And @lexandrapaterno tweeted, “Got a Peloton for Christmas..,” along with an image of Ruiz’s tense smile from the ad.