Alec Baldwin defends Kendall Jenner over Pepsi ad controversy

Alec Baldwin has defended Kendall Jenner over her controversial Pepsi commercial, insisting the model's management is to blame, not her.

The model and reality TV star came under fire earlier this month (Apr17) when her advert for the soft drinks company aired. In the commercial, Kendall could be seen taking part in a peace protest and handing a can of Pepsi to an on duty police officer, who cracks open the can as everyone rejoices.

Many people took issue with the commercial, which was swiftly pulled by Pepsi bosses, who released a statement apologizing for appearing to make light of a serious issue and for putting Kendall "in this position".

Alec, whose daughter Ireland is friends with Kendall, took to Twitter on Thursday (13Apr17) to defend the model.

"1- Don't blame @KendallJenner for that spot. Kendall is still a very young, inexperienced woman in an awful business. Blame her management," he wrote. "2- I remember when my daughter Ireland and Kendall were little kids in school. I think it's unfair to rake these younger ppl (people) over the coals... 3- The US is such a sadistically shame-based, blame-centered culture..."

The 21-year-old has not commented on the controversy and has kept a low profile ever since, although TMZ.com reports that she will be making her return to the spotlight at Coachella Festival in California over the weekend (14-16Apr17), where she will reportedly host a party for dating app Bumble with her sister Kylie.