Genetics or Guilt: Gavin Casalegno's Dunkin' Ad Sparks Debate
The Dark Side of Celebrity Endorsements: Dunkin' Donuts and Gavin Casalegno Embroiled in 'Genetics' Controversy
In a shocking turn of events, yet another celebrity brand partnership has come under fire for its allegedly tone-deaf messaging. This time, it's Dunkin' Donuts' latest commercial starring The Summer I Turned Pretty heartthrob Gavin Casalegno that has sparked outrage on social media.
The 25-year-old actor is seen lounging by a pool, sipping on a Dunkins drink and crediting his sun-kissed complexion to his "genetics." But what seems like a harmless endorsement has been met with fierce backlash from fans who claim the ad promotes racial undertones and eugenics. The controversy comes hot on the heels of Sydney Sweeney's polarizing American Eagle denim campaign, which also made references to genetics.
The Dunkin' Donuts commercial in question features Casalegno lounging by a pool, saying, "I didn't ask to be the king of summer. It just kind of happened." He then quips, "This tan? Genetics!" when asked about his sun-weathered complexion. The ad is meant to promote Dunkin's new Summer Refreshers drink line, but fans have been quick to point out the problematic undertones.
On TikTok, users have been sharing their discontent with the ad, calling it "giving Sydney Sweeney" and accusing Dunkin' Donuts of promoting "yt supremacy." One user wrote, "Another white blonde, hair blue eye," while another commented, "Why are ads so obsessed with genetics all of a sudden?" The comments section is filled with users vowing to boycott Dunkin' Donuts over the ad.
But not everyone is convinced that the commercial is sending a sinister message. TikToker MelMelTalks defended the ad, saying it's actually just a play on Casalegno's character in The Summer I Turned Pretty. She argued that the timing of the ad was bad, but that it wasn't meant to promote eugenics or racial undertones.
The controversy surrounding the Dunkin' Donuts commercial comes as no surprise, given the recent backlash over Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle campaign. In her ad, the Euphoria star is seen standing in front of a poster reading "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans" – a clever play on the phrase "great genes." However, fans have been quick to point out that the ad promotes racial undertones and eugenics, given its focus on genetics alongside Sweeney's blue-eyed image.
As The Scholarly Note reached out to representatives for both Casalegno and Dunkin' Donuts, we couldn't help but wonder: are celebrity endorsements becoming more problematic than ever? With great fame comes great responsibility, and it seems like some celebrities – and brands – still have a lot to learn about social media etiquette.
The 'Genetics' Controversy: What's Really Going On?
So, what's behind the recent surge in "genetics" controversies in celebrity endorsements? Is it just a case of bad timing, or is there something more sinister at play?
In an era where social media is king, brands and celebrities are often under pressure to be "on trend." But when it comes to messaging that can be perceived as promoting racial undertones or eugenics, the consequences can be severe.
As one TikTok user pointed out, "If I had a nickel for every time a popular company rolled out ad campaigns filled with genetic/eugenist dog whistles THIS WEEK, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice, right?" The irony is not lost on us – in an era where diversity and inclusion are more important than ever, some brands seem to be taking steps backward.
So, what can we learn from this controversy? For one, it's clear that celebrity endorsements need to be handled with care. Brands need to be aware of the messaging they're sending out into the world, and celebrities need to be mindful of their own privileges and platforms.
As for Gavin Casalegno and Dunkin' Donuts, it remains to be seen whether this controversy will have any lasting impact on their brands. But one thing is certain: in an era where social media can turn a brand's reputation into a toxic waste dump overnight, even the most well-intentioned ads can go viral for all the wrong reasons.
The Fallout: Will Dunkin' Donuts and Gavin Casalegno Face Consequences?
As the backlash against the Dunkin' Donuts commercial continues to grow, fans are taking to social media to express their outrage. But what about the consequences for Dunkin' Donuts and Gavin Casalegno themselves?
Will this controversy damage their reputations in the long run? Only time will tell.
But one thing is certain: in an era where social media can turn a brand's reputation into a toxic waste dump overnight, even the most well-intentioned ads can go viral for all the wrong reasons.
