“The Summer I Turned Pretty” actor Gavin Casalegno touts his “genetics” for a “golden summer” tan.
In this photo released on July 29, 2025, Gavin Casalegno shoots for DUNKIN’s Golden Hour Refresher, where he’s crowned “King of Summer.” Photo: Sara Jaye Weiss/Getty Images for DUNKIN’
July 31, 2025 | 4:40 PM
2 minutes to read
Dunkin’ introduced a new drink to its menu Tuesday with an ad starring “The Summer I Turned Pretty” actor Gavin Casalegno — and it’s already causing a stir online.
In the 35-second video promoting the Golden Hour Refresher, Casalegno delivers a tongue-in-cheek monologue about his role as the “King of Summer.” “Look, I didn’t ask to be the King of Summer, it just kinda happened. This tan? Genetics,” he says in the clip.
The Dunkin’ ad released just days following American Eagle’s “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans” campaign showcasing the actress’ physical traits. “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My genes are blue,” Sweeney says in the video.
Both American Eagle and Dunkin’ ad campaigns have sparked online debate as social media users are accusing the brands of promoting Eurocentric beauty standards, and even echoing themes of eugenics.
In the Dunkin’ ad, Casalegno playfully mentions his color analysis, a process that aims to help individuals find colors that best suit their skin tone. In the clip he says, “I just got my color analysis back. Guess what? Golden summer, literally!”
Seated by a pool and holding a Golden Hour Refresher, he remarks, “I can’t help it — every time I drink a Golden Hour Refresher, it’s like the sun just finds me.” The actor acknowledges his self-appointed title with a casual, “So if sipping these refreshers makes me the King of Summer? Guilty as charged.”
While there’s no wordplay on “genes” in the Dunkin’ ad, many viewers commented on the timing of the video releasing soon after AE’s provocative campaign, and its use of “genetics.”
“Why are ads so obsessed with genetics all of a sudden?” asked one TikTok user. Many drew connections to the “Euphoria” actress’ video.
“What in the Sydney Sweeney did I just watch,” another Tik Tok user said of the Dunkin’ ad.
As of this writing, the Dunkin’ video has garnered 1.8 million views on its TikTok page.
Many on social media were quick to point out what they saw as an unsettling trend in marketing, alleging its racist undertones. Some even voiced plans to boycott Dunkin’ entirely.
“I’ll never have Dunkin’ Donuts again,” one TikTok user vowed. “This ad is super effective in making sure I’m never going to Dunkin again,” another Instagram user wrote.
Dunkin’ did not respond to Boston.com’s request for comment.
We want to know: Brands have often used provocative advertising to cut through the noise and gain the attention of viewers. Do you think the Dunkin’ ad went too far? Is it bad timing? Or do you think the backlash is overblown? Share your reactions with us in the form below or e-mail us at [email protected].
How do you feel about Dunkin’s “Golden Hour Refresher” ad?
Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.
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