Basketball star, Jared McCain, named as Sally Hansen ambassador

Global nail colour and care brand, Sally Hansen, has announced a partnership with US college basketball sensation, Jared McCain.

The brand’s first sports partnership will see the athlete promote inclusivity and self-expression in the sports community and beyond, in his role as brand ambassador. Together, Sally Hansen and Jared McCain aim to redefine the boundaries of traditional sports sponsorships and inspire the embrace of individuality.

After a year playing for the Duke Blue Devils, representing Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, McCain recently announced that he will be entering the 2024 NBA Draft, giving him an opportunity to play for a team in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Alongside his basketball skills, he has become known for his fearless self-expression through nail colour – which he shares via his social media accounts. On TikTok last month, he posted a video as he painted one hand with a blue nail polish from Sally Hansen, while the other showcased a white hue: the colours of his team. In the video, he says:

“I think everybody should do some self-care for themselves. For me, that’s nail painting – I’m sorry if that offends any of you guys.”

Tiktok.com/@jaredmccain24

He continues: “My favourite nail polish to use is Sally Hansen Insta-Dri, because it only takes 60 seconds to dry. [Painting my nails] helps me not bite my nails. I went into a salon one time and I decided to pick out a colour, and I thought it looked nice. I know a lot of people disagree, a lot of people don’t like it, but I’m just going to be myself and do what I think looks nice.

“One of the reasons why I kept painting my nails is I had a game after I painted my nails and I ended up playing really well. I’m not crazy superstitious, but I thought it looked nice, I thought it helped me play better. So far it’s worked, so I’m just going to keep doing it.”

 On Sally Hansen’s partnership with Jared McCain, Kevin Shapiro, senior vice president of Coty US Consumer Beauty, comments: “At Sally Hansen, we create accessible salon-quality products and believe individuals should feel empowered to express their creativity and personality.

“Jared McCain caught our eye with his striking nail styles, showcasing his vibrant self-expression, all while simultaneously shining as a standout player on the court. He’s continued to remain true to himself, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the Sally Hansen family.”

Sally Hansen products are available via www.sallyhansen.com