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Just before the holidays, Peloton ran an ad for one of their bikes that went viral. The commercial featured a woman, Monica Ruiz, who became known as “Peloton Wife,” and for good reason. Now, the actress is guest-starring on CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful and fans aren’t sure what to think about it.

Monica Ruiz became a viral meme, thanks to Peloton

Monica Ruiz and Ryan Reynolds
Monica Ruiz and Ryan Reynolds | Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Memes popped up all over the web, poking fun at Monica Ruiz’s portrayal of a reluctant Peloton user. The woman dedicated a year of her life to using the bike as a way of thanking her husband, who bought it for her.

For those who haven’t seen the ad, Ruiz begins by expressing how nervous she is to begin a Peloton training program, but “excited.” She continued the program through the course of a year, pained to get out of bed so early, tired, and sometimes reluctant. Many took her attitude as feeling annoying or even offended her husband would buy her an exercise bike.

Ruiz’s fear-filled face caused many to think she was passive-aggressively working out as a way of coping with a dead-end marriage. Ruiz, who now pokes fun at the ad, too, followed up by partnering with Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin to continue to Peloton saga.

Ryan Reynolds cast Ruiz in an Aviation Gin commercial

In possibly the next best move on both Ruiz’s end and Ryan Reynolds, Aviation Gin scooped Ruiz up for their next ad — a follow-up to the Peloton, of sorts.

In this commercial, Ruiz is seen drinking the gin with her two friends. Her deadpan, empty stare is evident, and the mood in the room is that of her supposed divorce. Peloton isn’t mentioned, but viewers can assume she left the man who bought her an exercise bike for Christmas.

The ad went just as viral, catapulting Ruiz onto The Today Show to talk about her experience in both commercials, and becoming a fast-spreading meme.

Ruiz now stars in ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ and fans aren’t sure about it

Ruiz may not be a household name but many know her face. Fans spotted the “Peloton Wife” immediately when she first appeared as Dr. Escobar on the daytime soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful.

Ruiz’s cameo isn’t much more than advising Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope) to reveal how sick she is to her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Wyatt Spencer (Darin Brooks). However, fans can’t focus on her performance because they’ve got one thing on their minds: Peloton.

“The cringiest commercial was the best thing for her career, I am geeked,” one fan tweeted. “Hasn’t she suffered enough?” another asked. “She’s missing her @onepeloton bicycle,” this person said. “Well, at least we know she’s not being held captive by her husband on that bike any longer,” another astute fan added.

Cleary Ruiz is enjoying her time in the spotlight. Meanwhile, fans are enjoying everything about Ruiz’s entertaining “rise to fame” story that’s still unfolding in real-time. Perhaps an episode of The Bold and the Beautiful will show Dr. Escobar on a Peloton in the near future.

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