Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE starting June 12 2026

KFC's fried chicken ad 'racist', say Americans

An Australian KFC advert featuring West Indies cricket fans has been blasted as racist in the US, with critics saying it perpetuates stereotypes.

KFC_signage_0210_getty_B_1757633283

In the advert a white cricket fan tells viewers it is "too easy" to calm an unruly mob of Windies fans by sharing a bucket of fried chicken with them.

The advert, which was posted on YouTube, attracted over 2,700 comments in three weeks with outraged critics who say that KFC is perpetuating a stereotype that African Americans eat a lot of fried chicken.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Bloggers and radio presenters have slammed the clip as racist.

However, KFC have defended the ad, saying it was not intended for the US where "a culturally based stereotype exists".

The criticism comes two months after the Nine Network's Hey Hey It's Saturday show generated international outrage for depicting dancing "blackfaces" in a skit about Michael Jackson.


1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP, SBS


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world