Celebrities

This is Gavin Casalegno: Meet the actor in the new controversial Dunkin’ commercial that everyone is talking about

Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad stirred controversy, now Gavin Casalegno’s Dunkin’ commercial is fueling a new round of online debate.

Roddy Cons

Scottish sports journalist and content creator. After running his own soccer-related projects, in 2022 he joined Diario AS, where he mainly reports on the biggest news from around Europe’s leading soccer clubs, Liga MX and MLS, and covers live games in a not-too-serious tone. Likes to mix things up by dipping into the world of American sports.

Update: Aug 4th, 2025 18:17 EDT

‘Genetics’ appears to be the key theme in ads released by leading brands this summer. First, it was blond-haired, blue-eyed Sydney Sweeney coming under fire for her American Eagle campaign, swiftly followed by Dunkin’ and its new Golden Hour Refresher spot, starring Gavin Casalegno.

Gavin Casalegno: the “king of summer”

“Look, I didn’t ask to be the king of summer. It just kinda happened,” begins Casalegno’s spiel. “This tan? Genetics. I just got my color analysis back. Guess what? Golden summer. Literally.

“I can’t help it. Every time I drink a Dunkin’ Golden Hour Refresher, it’s like the sun just finds me,” he continues. “So if sipping these refreshers makes me the king of summer? Guilty as charged.”

As ever with social media, there’s no shortage of opinions on whether the ad is offensive.

Another ‘genetics’ reference sparks new online debate

For many, the mere use of the word ‘genetics’ makes it inappropriate, especially in the wake of the American Eagle backlash. Some believe Dunkin’s inclusion of the term is a knowing, but inoffensive, nod to the Sydney Sweeney controversy. Others say Casalegno’s speech couldn’t possibly be seen as objectionable, describing it instead as a “word salad” that makes no sense whatsoever.

Either way, it’s got people talking.

From Texas to L.A.: Casalegno’s early start in the industry

A model since the age of four, Casalegno, now 25, moved to Los Angeles from Dallas, Texas, at 11, hoping to embark on a career as an actor.

After playing small and uncredited roles in several TV shows and movies, including the 2011 comedy “Butter,” featuring Jennifer Garner and Hugh Jackman, Casalegno was cast as Young Shem in the 2014 drama “Noah,“ starring Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, and Emma Watson.

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A post shared by Gavin Casalegno (@gavincasalegno)

Breakthrough roles in hit series and films

He later appeared in an episode of “The Vampire Diaries” in 2015 and had a recurring role as Trevor Strand in the first season of the CW crime drama “Walker ”in 2021.

However, Casalegno is perhaps best known for playing Jeremiah Fisher in Amazon Prime Video’s coming-of-age drama “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” The Texan has been a main cast member since the start of season 1 in 2022. The show’s third season premiered on July 16 this year.

A newlywed and new expat

Casalegno married Cheyanne King, a registered nurse, on November 12 last year. Although it hasn’t been confirmed how long they had been dating before tying the knot, the couple began appearing on each other’s Instagram accounts in spring 2023.

Cheyanne revealed on Instagram last month that they would both be moving to Thailand for the summer, the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a Dunkin’ Golden Hour Refresher or two, some might say.