Bolsonaro Supporters Boycott Havaianas Over Controversial TV Ad, Wiping $20 Million Off Market Value

A highly publicized boycott of Havaianas, a popular Brazilian flip-flop brand, has been launched by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, following a television ad featuring actress Fernanda Torres that they interpreted as a left-wing jab. The backlash, reminiscent of similar campaigns in the US, has already resulted in a significant market value loss of approximately $20 million for the company.

According to The Guardian, the controversy stems from the actor Fernanda Torres, the star of Im Still Here, the Brazilian film that won an Oscar for best international feature, appearing in a Havaianas advertisement. Bolsonaro supporters, who have been leaderless since the former president was jailed for attempting a coup, have taken to social media to express their outrage and call for a boycott of the brand.

The boycott, which began on the first day of its launch, saw a significant market value loss of about $20 million, according to AFPGetty Images. This incident highlights the increasing polarization of Brazilian society and the potential for social media-fueled boycotts to impact businesses and cultural icons.

In an interview with The Guardian, a spokesperson for Bolsonaro supporters stated that the Havaianas spokesperson is openly left-wing, which has led to the brand being "canceled" by supporters of the former president. The spokesperson also claimed that the brand's association with the left-wing movement is a threat to the country's values and traditions.

The boycott has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many Brazilians weighing in on the issue. While some have expressed support for the boycott, others have criticized the move as an attempt to stifle free speech and creativity.

According to experts, the boycott is a symptom of a larger issue in Brazilian society, where politics and culture are increasingly intertwined. "The polarization of Brazilian society is a complex issue, and the boycott of Havaianas is just one example of how social media can be used to mobilize people and impact businesses," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a sociologist at the University of Sao Paulo.

As the boycott continues, Havaianas has yet to comment on the issue. However, the company's market value has taken a significant hit, with many investors and analysts expressing concern about the impact of the boycott on the brand's reputation and sales.

In the meantime, the boycott has become a rallying cry for Bolsonaro supporters, who see it as a way to express their discontent with the current government and the country's cultural landscape. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the boycott of Havaianas has become a major controversy in Brazil, with far-reaching implications for the country's politics, culture, and economy.