Celebrity Endorsements: When Star Power Backfires

Celebrity endorsements can launch trends, drive sales, and even break the internet. However, they can also lead to significant backlash, often resulting in PR nightmares. From tone-deaf messaging to bizarre decisions, here are seven instances where stars found themselves in the middle of an ad storm, starting with a campaign that’s still making headlines: Sydney Sweeney’s denim drama.

1. Sydney Sweeney’s “Great Jeans” Campaign That Went… Sideways

Sydney Sweeney’s partnership with American Eagle was initially marketed as a celebration of fun and confidence. However, the campaign’s tagline, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans” (a pun on “genes”), quickly ignited controversy. Critics argued that the ad leaned into outdated beauty ideals—blonde hair, blue eyes, and long legs—drawing unsettling parallels to eugenics, especially in the current political climate surrounding immigration in the U.S.

The situation escalated when public figures like Donald Trump praised the ad, while others, including Lizzo and Abbie Chatfield, voiced their disapproval. This sparked a heated debate across social media platforms. Despite the backlash, American Eagle defended the campaign, claiming it aimed to celebrate confidence and style for everyone. Interestingly, the controversy seemed to benefit the brand, as their stock actually rose amid the chaos.

2. Kendall Jenner’s Pepsi Protest Ad

In 2017, Kendall Jenner starred in a Pepsi ad that aimed to convey a message of unity and peace. The commercial depicted her handing a can of Pepsi to a police officer during a stylized street protest. However, the internet quickly condemned the ad for being tone-deaf and trivializing real-world social justice movements, particularly Black Lives Matter. The backlash was swift, leading Pepsi to pull the ad and issue an apology, cementing it as one of the most infamous marketing flops in recent history.

3. Madonna’s Pepsi Commercial

Madonna’s Super Bowl ad for Pepsi in 1989 was initially a hot topic, but not all of it was positive. The commercial was tied to her controversial “Like a Prayer” music video, which sparked outrage among religious groups and conservative audiences. The backlash was so intense that Pepsi eventually severed ties with the pop icon, despite having invested millions in the campaign. Madonna, however, turned the controversy into a platform for her artistic expression, continuing to push boundaries in her career.

4. Beyoncé’s “Heat” Perfume Ad That Got Banned (Sort Of)

When Beyoncé launched her Heat fragrance, the accompanying commercial was undeniably sultry. Dressed in a flowing red gown, she exuded confidence and allure. However, the ad was deemed too risqué for daytime television by some viewers and UK regulators, leading to a ban before 7:30 PM in Britain. Despite the restrictions, the controversy surrounding the ad only fueled sales, proving that sometimes, scandal can be a marketing boon.

5. The ‘Toing’ Girl – Sana Khan’s Amul Macho Ad

In one of India’s most infamous TV ads, actress Sana Khan portrayed a wife who becomes visibly flustered while washing her husband’s underwear. Her exaggerated reaction led to the viral “Toing!” moment, which became a cultural phenomenon. However, the ad faced severe backlash for being too suggestive for prime-time family viewing and was subsequently banned. Despite its short lifespan, the ad left a lasting imprint on pop culture and Khan’s career.

6. Arbaaz Khan & Malaika Arora’s Steamy Coffee Ad

Real-life couple Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora brought undeniable chemistry to a Mr. Coffee commercial, featuring steamy scenes and the tagline “Real pleasure can’t come in an instant.” However, the ad’s innuendo and sexual undertones did not sit well with Indian audiences or regulators. The backlash was swift, leading to the ad being pulled from airwaves—not due to poor quality, but because it pushed boundaries too far for its time.

7. Pooja Bedi’s Controversial Condom Ad

In the ’90s, Pooja Bedi and model Marc Robinson starred in a condom commercial featuring a now-iconic bathtub scene. The ad was bold and unapologetic, aiming to push the conversation about sexual health into mainstream media. However, many viewers were not ready for such frank discussions, leading to public outrage and the ad being banned from Indian television. Despite the backlash, it remains one of the most daring ad campaigns in the country’s history.

When it comes to celebrity ads, star power can be a double-edged sword. The wrong message—or even the wrong vibe—can turn a fun promotion into a full-blown PR crisis. As Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle moment illustrates, the line between edgy and insensitive is still being navigated in the world of advertising.