The Dunkin Donuts Ad Sparks Controversy Over “Genetics”
Dunkin Donuts is set to launch a video advertisement starring Gavin Casalegno from “The Summer I Turned Pretty”. This ad is scheduled to premiere on Tuesday, as reported recently.
In the ad, while lounging by the pool, Casalegno casually mentions, “I didn’t ask to be the king of summer; that’s just what happened. I just got my color analysis back. I can’t help it.” It’s a light-hearted acknowledgment, really, but it seems to have stirred some conversations online.
Comments from TikTok users, particularly on the left, reacted strongly to his remarks about “genetics.” One commenter questioned, “Why is advertising so obsessed with genetics?” Another noted, “Dunkin, you’ve really shaken things up with this.”
On the flip side, there were viewers who enjoyed the ad. One user said, “I’m wearing a shirt from a girl who loves Dunkin; I love this.” Another chimed in, “I’ll support Dunkin even more.” Some X platform users suggested adding a signature donut to the ad to spice things up, expressing a mix of appreciation and suggestiveness.
In fact, another user shared an AI-generated image of Casalegno’s body alongside a declaration from former President Trump, playfully dubbing him the “king of summer.”
This isn’t the first time the left has reacted to beauty standards in ads. Recently, Sydney Sweeney faced backlash for her American Eagle advertisement, where she discussed both her “genes” and her jeans. Her portrayal—blue eyes, blonde hair—evoked debates on modern beauty ideals, with some critics labeling it as “Nazi propaganda.”
Following the Sweeney ad, a White House official remarked on the intense reactions, tying them to the sentiment that contributed to Trump’s 2024 election. The official described the backlash as a highlight of “Cancel Culture Run Amok,” implying that this kind of outrage fuels a larger narrative in American politics.
It seems we’re in a time where advertising and societal norms collide, sparking discussions that can be both trivial and profound.
