# Converse advertising controversy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/converse-advertising-controversy > Updated: 2026-09-25T00:52:43.000Z. Sources: 102. Developments: 3. Converse issued a public apology and removed promotional imagery from its Chuck 70 X and Run Star Crush campaigns following social media backlash regarding racially insensitive symbolism. The controversy involved an advertisement featuring Karina, a member of the South Korean K-pop group aespa. Critics noted that the composition—specifically a star-shaped spotlight on the singer wearing a long white skirt—created a silhouette resembling a Ku Klux Klan hood. Furthermore, the way black high-top sneakers were held by their laces against a white background was interpreted by some as evoking imagery of a lynching. The controversy was reportedly amplified by the circulation of uncropped versions of the image and a separate campaign photo showing shoes hanging from a tree branch. In response to the outcry, Converse stated, “We’re sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong.” The company confirmed it has removed the advertisement from its own channels and is working to remove it from other platforms. The incident has drawn criticism from public figures, including U.S. Representative Troy Carter, who described the campaign as “racist, reckless and deeply offensive,” and civil rights attorney Lee Merritt, who questioned the company’s creative approval processes. Following the backlash, Converse CEO Aaron Cain addressed the situation during a meeting with employees, where he condemned racism and acknowledged the error. To prevent future occurrences, the company has announced it will conduct a review of its content approval and revision processes, utilizing an external entity to investigate how the campaign passed through various validation levels before publication. ## Claims - Converse issued a public apology regarding the controversial advertisement. (corroborated by 30 sources) - The advertisement's lighting and composition resembled Ku Klux Klan imagery and lynching victims. (corroborated by 30 sources) - Converse removed the advertisement from its social media channels. (corroborated by 30 sources) - The advertisement featured Karina, a member of the South Korean K-pop group Aespa. (corroborated by 17 sources) - The campaign was for the Chuck 70 X sneaker line. (corroborated by 17 sources) - U.S. Representative Troy Carter called the campaign racist, reckless, and deeply offensive. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The campaign was rolled out internationally in late August. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The company is conducting a process review of its marketing approval workflows. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-25: Converse withdraws advertisement featuring K-pop star Karina Converse pulled an advertisement featuring K-pop star Karina after critics claimed the image's composition evoked imagery associated with the Ku Klux Klan and lynching. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/converse-withdraws-advertisement-featuring-k-pop-star-karina ### 2026-09-20: Converse pulls sneaker ad following allegations of racist imagery Converse has pulled a sneaker advertisement featuring K-pop star Karina after critics claimed its imagery evoked Ku Klux Klan symbolism and racial lynching. The company issued an apology and is reviewing its ad 65 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/converse-apologizes-and-pulls-ad-following-racial-imagery-backlash ### 2026-09-18: Converse apologizes after ad imagery compared to KKK and lynching Converse has apologized and pulled a Chuck 70 X campaign featuring K-pop star Karina after critics claimed the imagery evoked Ku Klux Klan hoods and lynching scenes. 36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/converse-faces-backlash-over-controversial-sneaker-advertisement --- Cite as: Converse advertising controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/converse-advertising-controversy