T-Mobile’s ‘Rockstar 5G’ spot aims to show how a spotty cell reception could potentially backfire.  

It presents viewers with a fictionalized story of how country music star and “The Voice” judge Blake Shelton, and pop star Gwen Stefani, became one of the music industry’s most unlikely couples. In the spot, Stefani gives mutual friend Adam Levine, “The Voice” judge and Maroon 5 frontman, a call to let him know she’s ready to date again. But the connection on their video chat is spotty, and Levine hears Stefani say she is looking for someone “completely country, uncultured, and threatened by a strong confident woman.” Levine, who’s out to eat with Shelton, then thinks he has her dream guy right in front of him. 

Winking at the singers’ seemingly mis-matched relationship, as well as Shelton and Levine’s frenemies dynamic on “The Voice,” this T-Mobile spot highlights just how disastrous, or not, a spotty connection can be. 

T-Mobile also aired a second spot, called “Family Drama,” in the 2021 game. It had planned to air a third commercial with a similar storyline as “Rockstar 5G,” starring Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. But the company said that ad was rejected by the NFL due to a protected rights deal with the NFL’s official telco sponsor.

Brand: T-Mobile

Agency: Panay Films

Quarter Aired: Q2

Super Bowl: LV

Year: 2021