Gavin Casalegno could also be a licensed teen heartthrob due to his position in “The Summer time I Turned Fairly,” however his newest Dunkin’ advert has some followers buzzing for the flawed causes.
The actor stars in a brand new Dunkin’ spot selling the chain’s Golden Hour Refresher, tying in his beachy picture with a line about his enviable tan.
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Gavin Casalegno Topped ‘King Of Summer time’ In Cringey Dunkin’ Advert
Dunkin’ releases new advert starring ‘The Summer time I Turned Fairly’ actor Gavin Casalegno:
“This tan? Genetics. I simply obtained my coloration evaluation again… guess what? Golden summer time, actually.” pic.twitter.com/kp5Xq5ypLs
— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 30, 2025
Within the industrial, Casalegno jokes:
“Look, I didn’t ask to be the king of summer time. It simply sort of occurred. This tan? Genetics. I simply obtained my coloration evaluation again. Guess what? Golden summer time. Actually.”
The playful spot was reportedly a part of a cross-promotion with “The Summer time I Turned Fairly,” the place Casalegno performs Jeremiah Fisher. However whereas some followers swooned over the actor’s signature appeal, others weren’t impressed, particularly with the advert’s repeated use of the phrase genetics.
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Dunkin’ Advert Faces Criticism Over ‘Genetics’ Messaging

The backlash comes on the heels of American Eagle’s “Sydney Sweeney Has Nice Denims” marketing campaign, which drew heavy criticism for its wordplay round Sweeney’s “genes/denims.” That advert sparked conversations round eugenics, colorism, and the way advertising and marketing leans into sure racialized beliefs of magnificence.
Dunkin’s advert has now discovered itself below related scrutiny, with critics questioning the choice to spotlight Casalegno’s tan and genetics as a part of the marketing campaign’s humor. Some on-line customers linked the messaging to “long-standing magnificence requirements rooted in whiteness,” noting how the phrase “coloration evaluation” already carries connotations tied to pores and skin tone developments.
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“There may be nothing flawed with being happy with your roots or genetics. However for some cause, this advert misses the mark for me,” one X person wrote. “It could inadvertently scale back white males’s experiences to privilege, erasing the non-public effort and actual struggles they face.”
They added, “The message seems like it’s saying they’re simply born with every little thing handed to them. However many males, white males included, are struggling silently in a world that doesn’t all the time see or acknowledge their ache. Success and luxury aren’t inherited. They’re earned.”
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Followers Slam Gavin Casalegno’s Dunkin’ Advert As ‘Embarrassing’
Others could not assist however name the advert “cringe” and “embarrassing.”
“What’s up with these creepy advertisements recently?” somebody wrote on X.
“This actually makes me not need Dunkin,” one other wrote. “Even with out racism it’s simply so cringe.”
“lol creepy advert,” somebody responded.
However, in fact, a number of social media customers ignored the truth that the advert was for Dunkin’, and as a substitute, targeted on the “hearthrob” actor.
“Rattling. If I had been 16, he’d be up on my wall,” one person mentioned.
“I’d dunk my donuts in him,” another person joked.
“He appears to be like like an OnlyFans mannequin,” a 3rd claimed, including a heart-eye emoji.
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Gavin Casalegno’s Shirtless Thailand Snap Sends Followers Into A Frenzy Amid Dunkin’ Advert Backlash
Exterior of the Dunkin’ controversy, Casalegno remains to be giving followers lots to swoon over. Simply weeks earlier than the advert dropped, the “Summer time I Turned Fairly” star shared a shirtless snap from Thailand, lounging on a swing with a canine by his aspect.
“The 7 11 runs are my favourite,” he cheekily captioned the picture, which shortly racked up practically 705,000 likes.
Pals and followers piled into the feedback, with co-star Lana Condor leaving a string of fireside emojis, Prime Video chiming in with “summer time vibes current and accounted for,” and Anthony De La Torre declaring, “Que dreamy!!”
Followers Declare Gavin Casalegno ‘The View’ After Shirtless Surf Picture In Hawaii
After all, Casalegno’s attraction isn’t restricted to Thailand.
Earlier this yr, he shared a snap from Hawaii, posing shirtless with a neon surfboard and cheekily captioning it, “Good views.” The submit shortly drew over 560,000 likes and a flood of thirsty feedback.
“Our favourite golden retriever all the time feeding us with wonderful content material,” one fan wrote, whereas one other joked, “Sure, you’re the view.”
The beachside picture solely solidified Casalegno’s standing because the web’s summer time heartthrob.