Doritos Parts Ways with Transgender Influencer Over Social Media Content
The company behind Doritos has severed ties with transgender influencer Samantha Hudson following reports of her posting content related to violence and pedophilia. Hudson, a Spanish singer and actor with approximately 370,000 Instagram followers, had been part of a social media campaign for the snack brand. Doritos, owned by American food giant Pepsico, condemned Hudson’s posts and swiftly terminated their association with her.
The controversy erupted when it was revealed that Hudson had posted tweets during her teenage years that included mocking references to rape victims and disturbing comments about a 12-year-old girl. Although the posts have been deleted, screenshots continue to circulate online. In response to the revelations, Doritos released a statement expressing strong condemnation of any words or actions that promote violence or sexism.
Doritos had initially featured Hudson in an Instagram video as part of their campaign, but the content was removed after the offensive tweets came to light. Despite this action, calls for a boycott of the snack emerged, mainly driven by right-wing activists in the United States. The boycott campaign was less prominent in Spain, where Hudson is based, but some conservatives voiced criticism of the influencer.
In the wake of the controversy, Arturo Villa, a Spanish political analyst, took to Twitter to warn consumers that purchasing Pepsi products, including Doritos, would contribute to financing individuals like Samantha Hudson. Meanwhile, Jenna Ellis, a former member of Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign legal team, condemned the situation and called for a boycott, drawing a parallel with a past campaign against Bud Light involving a transgender influencer.
Last year, Bud Light faced a boycott after partnering with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Although there were no reports of offensive conduct by Mulvaney, conservative activists objected to the use of a transgender individual in marketing efforts. The boycott adversely affected Bud Light’s sales, prompting a company executive to issue a statement emphasizing the unintentional involvement in a divisive discussion.
As the Doritos controversy unfolds, it highlights the increasing scrutiny brands face regarding their associations with influencers and the potential impact on their image and consumer base. The influence of social media, coupled with heightened sensitivity to specific issues, underscores the challenges companies face in navigating the intersection of marketing, values, and public perception.
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