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“I’ve Never Been More Uncomfortable”: Heated Debate After Dunkin’ Donuts Releases New Ad
Gavin Casalegno’s hot summer ad for Dunkin’ received hot backlash, with netizens accusing him of glorifying his bloodline.
The Summer I Turned Pretty star appeared in an ad to promote the chain’s newest Refresher drinks, the Golden Hour Refresher.
He praised his “genetics” and declared himself the “King of Summer.”
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Gavin Casalegno’s hot summer ad for the breakfast chain received hot backlash
Image credits: Pexels/Henry Dixon
Highlights
- Gavin Casalegno called himself the “King of Summer” in the Dunkin’ commercial.
- He faced backlash for praising his “genetics” while promoting the Golden Hour Refresher.
- Netizens compared the ad to American Eagle’s recent controversial campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney.
- “Why are ads so obsessed with genetics all of a sudden?” read one comment.
Netizens compared the ad to American Eagle’s recent controversial campaign that featured Sydney Sweeney. The apparel brand was accused of glorifying whiteness with its ads.
In the Dunkin’ commercial, 25-year-old Gavin was seen soaking up some sun and lounging by the side of a pool.
Dunkin’ and American Eagle were both slammed for their seemingly strange messaging about “genetics”
Image credits: American Eagle
“Look, I didn’t ask to be the king of summer, it just kinda happened,” he said. “This tan? Genetics.”
“I just got my color analysis back. Guess what? Golden summer, literally,” he proudly said with a Golden Hour Refresher in his hand.
Image credits: Dunkin’
“Can’t help it—every time I drink a Dunkin’ Golden Hour Refresher, it’s like the sun just finds me,” he continued.
“So if sipping these refreshers makes me the king of summer? Guilty as charged.”
“It’s giving white is right, yeah, no,” read one comment online
Image credits: gavincasalegno
Social media users groaned and questioned why big brands seemed fixated on genetics all of a sudden.
“Why are ads so obsessed with genetics all of a sudden?” read the top TikTok comment on the ad.
Image credits: Dunkin’
“I’ll never have Dunkin’ Donuts again,” one said, while another agreed, “I’m boycotting Dunkin.”
On the other hand, another said with a series of applause emojis, “Yessss Dunkin!! We want to see more white, attractive people.”
TikTokers shared videos dissecting the Dunkin’ ad and criticizing the Summer I Turned Pretty star
Image credits: jemmzzzz4
“Dunkin you fumbled big time with this,” said another.
“Love this so much. Thank you for making the woke cry today. I will be drinking Dunkin’ now!!!” one said.
Several couldn’t help but compare the ad to American Eagle’s recent and most expensive campaign to date.
Image credits: Dunkin’
“What in the Sydney Sweeney did I just watch?” one said.
Another asked, “Are AE and DD using the same agency or something?”
“He’s like the male Sydney Sweeney,” said another.
Comparisons were drawn between the controversial American Eagle campaign and the Dunkin’ commercial
@vital_media_marketing Like Dunkin you couldn’t hold off for terrible timing if it’s just a coincidence 😂☠️ #sydneysweeney#americaneagle#thesummeriturnedpretty#jerimiahfisher#gavincasalegno♬ original sound – Angie- VM Marketing
Many TikTokers shared videos dissecting the Dunkin’ ad and even accused Gavin of being a MAGA supporter.
Some also took issue with him calling himself the “king of summer.”
Image credits: Dunkin’
“Unless you’re an actual monarchy or Burger King, why are you crowning anyone ‘king’ in America right now?” one TikToker asked.
They found the “king” phrasing bizarre in light of the “No Kings” protest, which saw demonstrations taking place in towns and cities across the country against the US president.
The coordinated event, titled “No Kings,” was held in June to counter a rare military parade hosted by the president in Washington, DC.
Protesters compared the president’s actions to those of a king and said he must be “dethroned.”
One had an issue with Gavin branding himself as the “king of summer”
@sarajmccord Replying to @FAT ♬ Silence 57 Seconds – 💙 UK8000UK 💙©️™️
The backlash against Dunkin’ was similar to the heat American Eagle faced after its latest campaign with Sydney Sweeney.
The actress was the face of the clothing brand’s fall denim collection.
“Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” was the tagline of American Eagle’s campaign.
Image credits: Dunkin’
Sydney was seen buttoning up her jeans and talking about her DNA history in one ad.
“Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color… my genes are blue,” she said.
“My body’s composition is determined by my genes…” she said in another video.
The backlash was swift and loud, with Doja Cat also roasting the ad.
The rapper repeated Sydney’s words in an exaggerated Southern accent, making no effort to hide her mockery of the ad.
Sydney Sweeney was the face of American Eagle‘s campaign for their fall denim collection
Image credits: americaneagle
Comedian Michael Pavano joined in with a parody of the ethnic cleansing-accused ad.
“My jeans are blue – so they’re like, better than yours. They say people with blonde hair and blue eyes are naturally favored. I don’t say it, but they do – but I buy it!” he said, wearing purple denim and a blonde wig as part of his drag outfit.
“I mean, who wouldn’t want my jeans? I know you do, you dirty boy. Let’s be so real,” he added.
Image credits: americaneagle
Many felt the advertisement was glorifying traits considered superior in some cultures, like whiteness, blue eyes, and others.
“This specific campaign has sparked backlash for multiple reasons—firstly, the terminology and its inferences suggest a connection to Sydney Sweeney’s appearance being perfect, denoting her blonde hair, blue eyes, and white skin, as well as her body,” Dr. Brett Staniland, a model and sustainable fashion advocate, told Newsweek.
“The public is now hyper aware of messaging and the actual undertones of what is being said,” Dr. Brett Staniland said
Image credits: American Eagle
Brett further said that the ad was “se***lly charged” and highlighted a moment where Sydney said, “Hey, eye’s up here” when the camera panned down in one of the ads.
It’s “a clear reference to something women have experienced for years at the hands of objectifying men,” the model said. “Trivializing this sentiment to sell jeans has obviously not been well received.”
“We are at a particularly sensitive time in the world,” Brett added. “The public is now hyper aware of messaging and the actual undertones of what is being said.”
Viewers were quick to share their opinions online about the breakfast chain’s ad with Gavin Casalegno
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What do you think ?
Johnnynatfan 4 months ago (edited)
All of these social warriors really need to chose their battles wisely. I'm a pretty liberal person but people need to relax. Backlash to this kind of "wokeness" as they call it is part of the reason here in the US we have that fat f**k Trump still around. People are tired of the constant outrage over nothing. There are legit things to be outraged about. These ads are not it.
Emilu 4 months ago
Man, getting outraged at everything must get so tiring. “My jeans are… non-existent. *Pouty face*”
Mike F 4 months ago
It's the new form of exercise, jumping to conclusions and outrage.
Load More Replies...
UKGrandad 4 months ago (edited)
Jeez, do words have meanings anymore? "“Why are ads so obsessed with genetics all of a sudden?” read the top TikTok comment on the ad." I don't know what's worse: the idiot who thinks that TWO adverts for different companies -out of the who-knows how many that are released every day -constitutes an obsession, or the sheer number of morons who made that ill-educated blather the top comment on TikTok.
nicholas nolan 4 months ago
Sad a man from the UK, especially an older one, can't read between those lines up there.
Load More Replies... Tamara 4 months ago
This is exactly what adds are for, textbook case of how to get your product as much attention as possible. Sharing an add while complaining about it is the opposite of boycotting, in my humble opinion. I had not heard of both companies before, but now i have. Well done, world!
Johnnynatfan 4 months ago
American Eagle has nice clothes. I like their jeans. They have replaced Levis as my favorite jeans.
Load More Replies...
Deborah B 4 months ago
Neither ad is blatently offensive on its own... just taken in context with the current racism and anti-immigrant trend in America. The blue-eyed blond white people talking up their "great" or "king" genes is subtexting "white pride" and that isn't promoting an aesthetic, it's an ideology, and it's an offensive, racist ideology. The facist dictator, the ICE arresting minorities, the pro-white attitudes, anti-wokeness, it's all giving a 1940s N**i party vibe that's frankly concerning. As someone looking at the US from the outside, you are not in a good place, and you need to take a good hard look at yourselves, the businesses and people you support with your money, and what you are letting your government do in your names.
Jrog 4 months ago
Exactly. Per se, it's not outrageous. In the context, it's a clear "dog whistle" to subtly cater to a despicable share of public that unfortunately is crawling out the woodwork, and growing ever more bold.
Load More Replies...
Schnitzel 4 months ago (edited)
I see this type of person everyday in our store. They are between 20-30 years of age and they are "WOKE". They complain about everything they haven't made up themselves and if you don't agree, you're an idiot/loser/old/f*****t. They know f**k-all about life in general! Drive a gasoline? You're an earth killer. Dress in all black? You're a satanist. Eat pizza? You k**l cows. And it goes on and on and f*****g on :-/ Ah! And the best part? It's when you tell them to shove it, they become all "upset" and accuse you of not taking their bad mental health seriously.
Nova Rook 4 months ago
BP wants clicks and is willing to pander to white nationalists/fascists.
Load More Replies...
sturmwesen 4 months ago
1. did they use the same ad agency? 2. people have too much time for b******t problems
smithyjones 4 months ago
Hoping & praying that sometime very soon people will stop being triggered, & stop needing emotional support animals & meds every time the wind blows.
Johnnynatfan 4 months ago (edited)
All of these social warriors really need to chose their battles wisely. I'm a pretty liberal person but people need to relax. Backlash to this kind of "wokeness" as they call it is part of the reason here in the US we have that fat f**k Trump still around. People are tired of the constant outrage over nothing. There are legit things to be outraged about. These ads are not it.
Emilu 4 months ago
Man, getting outraged at everything must get so tiring. “My jeans are… non-existent. *Pouty face*”
Mike F 4 months ago
It's the new form of exercise, jumping to conclusions and outrage.
Load More Replies... UKGrandad 4 months ago (edited)
Jeez, do words have meanings anymore? "“Why are ads so obsessed with genetics all of a sudden?” read the top TikTok comment on the ad." I don't know what's worse: the idiot who thinks that TWO adverts for different companies -out of the who-knows how many that are released every day -constitutes an obsession, or the sheer number of morons who made that ill-educated blather the top comment on TikTok.
nicholas nolan 4 months ago
Sad a man from the UK, especially an older one, can't read between those lines up there.
Load More Replies... Tamara 4 months ago
This is exactly what adds are for, textbook case of how to get your product as much attention as possible. Sharing an add while complaining about it is the opposite of boycotting, in my humble opinion. I had not heard of both companies before, but now i have. Well done, world!
Johnnynatfan 4 months ago
American Eagle has nice clothes. I like their jeans. They have replaced Levis as my favorite jeans.
Load More Replies... Deborah B 4 months ago
Neither ad is blatently offensive on its own... just taken in context with the current racism and anti-immigrant trend in America. The blue-eyed blond white people talking up their "great" or "king" genes is subtexting "white pride" and that isn't promoting an aesthetic, it's an ideology, and it's an offensive, racist ideology. The facist dictator, the ICE arresting minorities, the pro-white attitudes, anti-wokeness, it's all giving a 1940s N**i party vibe that's frankly concerning. As someone looking at the US from the outside, you are not in a good place, and you need to take a good hard look at yourselves, the businesses and people you support with your money, and what you are letting your government do in your names.
Jrog 4 months ago
Exactly. Per se, it's not outrageous. In the context, it's a clear "dog whistle" to subtly cater to a despicable share of public that unfortunately is crawling out the woodwork, and growing ever more bold.
Load More Replies... Schnitzel 4 months ago (edited)
I see this type of person everyday in our store. They are between 20-30 years of age and they are "WOKE". They complain about everything they haven't made up themselves and if you don't agree, you're an idiot/loser/old/f*****t. They know f**k-all about life in general! Drive a gasoline? You're an earth killer. Dress in all black? You're a satanist. Eat pizza? You k**l cows. And it goes on and on and f*****g on :-/ Ah! And the best part? It's when you tell them to shove it, they become all "upset" and accuse you of not taking their bad mental health seriously.
Nova Rook 4 months ago
BP wants clicks and is willing to pander to white nationalists/fascists.
Load More Replies... sturmwesen 4 months ago
1. did they use the same ad agency? 2. people have too much time for b******t problems
smithyjones 4 months ago
Hoping & praying that sometime very soon people will stop being triggered, & stop needing emotional support animals & meds every time the wind blows.
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