Sydney Sweeney‘s recent American Eagle collab has ignited an online firestorm. The campaign, titled “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” features the actress delivering that’s kicked up quite the controversy:
“Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My jeans are blue.“
Sydney’s wordplay between genes and jeans was intended as a clever pun. But, many outraged viewers interpret it as a reference to eugenics — a dangerous ideology rooted in racism that endorses the “improvement” of the human race by controlling reproduction to eliminate perceived undesirable traits.
Critics argue that the American Eagle ad’s emphasis on Sweeney‘s blonde hair and blue eyes, coupled with the “genes” reference, evokes notions of genetic superiority and white supremacy.
The Backlash
Reactions to the Sweeney ad have been swift and widespread. Social media platforms have been flooded with critiques, with some users calling the campaign tone-deaf and even comparing it to Nazi propaganda. The backlash has sparked discussions about race, beauty standards, and a brand’s responsibility to their messaging.
The Sydney AE Ad Is Now . . . Deleted
And . . . American Eagle’s Response?
Shockingly, it took a while for American Eagle to issue a public statement addressing the backlash surrounding its “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” campaign. Basically, they acknowledged the controversy sparked by the ad’s wordplay on “genes” and “jeans.”
The brand emphasized that the campaign’s intent was to highlight the quality of its denim products, not to promote any ideological message. Despite the criticism, the campaign has received an insane amount of attention worldwide — with reports of increased online impressions and a surge in the company’s stock value.
While the ad’s wordplay may have been intended as what they call “harmless fun”, it underscores ongoing issues in advertising and media representation.
In a time when most brands are socially responsible and inclusive, American Eagle’s tasteless ad highlights the fine line between edgy marketing and reinforcing outdated stereotypes.
What we wanna know is why Sydney got all caught up in this.
FAQ: Sydney Sweeney’s AE Ad
What’s the controversy surrounding Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad?
The ad features a pun between “genes” and “jeans,” with Sweeney stating, “My jeans are blue.” Critics argue that this evokes eugenics and white supremacy due to the emphasis on Sweeney‘s blonde hair and blue eyes.
What’s the public’s reaction?
The ad has sparked widespread debate online, with some defending it as a clever pun and others condemning it for reinforcing harmful beauty standards.
What does this controversy say about advertising and representation?
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about diversity and inclusivity in advertising and the potential for well-intentioned campaigns to inadvertently perpetuate outdated stereotypes.
The “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” Ad Timeline:
- Campaign Launch: The “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” campaign was launched on July 23, 2025, featuring Sweeney in various denim outfits
- Public Reaction: The campaign quickly went viral, with widespread discussion on social media platforms
- Brand Response: American Eagle has not publicly addressed the backlash as of the latest reports.
- Stock Impact: The controversy has led to increased attention and a reported surge in American Eagle’s stock value
- Campaign Purpose: The campaign aims to promote American Eagle’s new denim line and raise awareness for domestic violence prevention, with proceeds from the “Sydney Jean” going to Crisis Text Line
