Even Sarah McLachlan Needs a Break from Her Own ASPCA Ad

If you’ve ever teared up during a commercial featuring sad-eyed animals and Sarah McLachlan’s haunting vocals, you’re definitely not alone – and you’re in good company. Even Sarah McLachlan herself says it’s “painful” and she can’t sit through it.

The iconic ad for the ASPCA, set to her hit “Angel,” became a cultural touchstone and meme magnet for its sheer emotional gut-punch. But while it pulled at our heartstrings, it didn’t exactly reflect who McLachlan is as a person.

“I just need a little more *sad face*,” the director told her during filming, she recently revealed.

And while she agreed to do the commercial because she loves animals (and had a friend on the ASPCA board), she says the finished product painted her as “this sort of quiet, sad person with all my puppies and kittens.”

Not exactly the upbeat vibe she normally brings to the table.

Still, the ad clearly struck a nerve with viewers. In just one year, it helped raise a staggering $30 million for the ASPCA. So, while the emotional toll was high (for all of us), the payoff for animal welfare was massive.

Now, McLachlan is turning the page with some new music.

Her upcoming album, “Better Broken”, is set to drop on September 19th. No word yet on whether there’ll be any puppy cameos – just maybe no more emotionally devastating commercials.

So the next time you hear “In the arms of the angel…” and instinctively reach for a box of tissues (or the remote), just know: Sarah’s probably doing the exact same thing.