Doritos Terminates Partnership with Transgender Influencer Over Alleged Inappropriate Comments Concerning Children
Doritos, the popular snack brand and subsidiary of PepsiCo, recently found itself in hot water after partnering with a transgender influencer, Samantha Hudson, for a branded video on Instagram. However, just days after the partnership was announced, offensive and disturbing comments made by Hudson surfaced online, leading to Doritos swiftly terminating their relationship.
The controversy began when Doritos Spain collaborated with Samantha Hudson, a 24-year-old transgender influencer and singer. The branded video, titled “Crunch Talks,” aimed to promote the Doritos Spain campaign. Unfortunately, past comments made by Hudson in 2015 quickly resurfaced after the video’s release, including remarks mocking alleged victims of sexual abuse and expressing disturbing desires towards a minor.
Doritos wasted no time in responding to the situation. A spokesperson for the company stated that the video featuring Hudson was published on Instagram by their Spanish division before the offensive comments were brought to light. However, as soon as they became aware of the inflammatory remarks, the post was removed, and Hudson’s partnership with Doritos was terminated.
Doritos Spain also released a statement expressing their condemnation of the comments made by Hudson. They emphasized their commitment to promoting a safe and inclusive environment, firmly denouncing any words or actions that promote violence or sexism.
The reaction to this partnership and subsequent controversy was swift. Conservatives and consumers alike expressed their concerns, drawing comparisons to Bud Light’s decision to partner with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney, who identifies as female but was assigned male at birth. Bud Light faced backlash and a significant decrease in sales following that partnership.
Calls for a boycott of Doritos quickly spread across social media platforms. Former Trump 2020 campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis took to Twitter to express her disgust at Hudson’s comments and called for a similar treatment to what Bud Light faced. Other users highlighted Hudson’s alleged advocacy for “abolishing the traditional family,” referencing previous comments made during a Spanish TV interview.
In the midst of the controversy, Samantha Hudson offered an apology for the past comments she made in 2015. Hudson claimed to not remember writing such offensive statements and attributed it to a time when she engaged in what she thought was “dark humor.”
It’s worth noting that Samantha Hudson gained fame on YouTube with fashion and beauty videos before her song, Maricón, went viral, propelling her into the music industry. She has since garnered recognition and won awards for her work.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for brands partnering with influencers. It highlights the importance of thorough background checks and vetting processes to ensure that the individuals they collaborate with align with their values and do not have a history of offensive or harmful behavior.
Doritos’ swift action in terminating their partnership with Samantha Hudson demonstrates their commitment to maintaining a brand image that promotes inclusivity, respect, and safety for all consumers. Moving forward, it is crucial for companies to be vigilant in their selection process and prioritize values aligning partnerships to avoid such controversies and potential damage to their reputation.
