Dakota Johnson is facing backlash after one detail from her latest Saturday Night Live appearance sparked criticism.
The actress recently appeared on Saturday Night Live to promote her upcoming movie Verity, but a promotional photo released ahead of the show drew plenty of attention for a very different reason.
Johnson, 37, can be seen posing with an unlit cigarette hanging from her mouth.
For some fans, the cigarette was an unnecessary addition to an otherwise glamorous shot. The reaction was particularly noticeable on Reddit, where users debated the photo.
“Cigarettes are making a big comeback,” one user wrote, according to Tyla.
Criticized for promoting smoking
Another took a more sarcastic approach: “Vapes are out, and ciggys are back in. Progression!”
“We’re glamorizing smoking again? Sigh,” a third person commented.
There were plenty of other complaints, too.
“Can we stop with the cigarettes?”
“So sick of the cigarettes. So off-putting. It’s NOT cool. It’s cringe.”
“It’s tied to the whole Y2K indie sleaze aesthetics, and then shallow people jump onto the trend. This era is mostly stolen remakes with little to no deviation from the original, then sold as homages, references, or reprisals. It’s so unoriginal that death sticks are back on trend. Whenever a celebrity does posing with their cigs, it only shows how vapid they are.”
Other celebrities face the same backlash
This is just one example of a much bigger shift that some people believe they have noticed.
A study from Haypp published in February found that a considerable number of people in Britain felt smoking was becoming more visible again. Nearly 30 percent said they believed it was ‘back in fashion.’
And there is certainly no shortage of famous faces triggering criticism elsewhere after being photographed with cigarettes.
Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Mescal have all been spotted smoking in recent months, drawing criticism from fans and the public.
Need help quitting?
Quitting nicotine can be hard, whether it’s cigarettes, vapes, or nicotine pouches, and you don’t have to do it alone. Free, confidential support is available:
- Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to be connected with a trained quit coach in your state.
- Visit Smokefree.gov for quit plans, tips, and tools, including live chat support.
- Teens and young adults trying to quit vaping can text DITCHVAPE to 88709 for free, judgment-free and anonymous support through Truth Initiative’s This is Quitting program.
- For broader substance use or addiction, the SAMHSA National Helpline is free, confidential, and open 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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