CELEBRITIES

Sydney Sweeney's Unshaken Stance Amid Jeans Ad Storm

USATue Nov 04 2025

Sydney Sweeney, renowned for her role in Euphoria, recently opened up about the backlash she faced over the American Eagle jeans campaign. She revealed that she chose not to issue a formal statement during the controversy, believing in letting people form their own opinions.

Confidence Amid Controversy

Sweeney emphasized her confidence in her values and identity. "I know who I am. I know what I value. I know that I’m a kind person." This self-assurance allowed her to brush off the negative reactions to the ad, which played on the phrase "great genes" and sparked accusations of promoting white supremacy.

The ad featured Sweeney in jeans, something she wears daily. She admitted that the backlash surprised her, but it didn't bother her much. "I did a jean ad. I love jeans. All I wear are jeans," she said, downplaying the controversy.

The Ad's Tagline and Public Reaction

The ad's tagline, "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans," was seen by some as a pun on "great genes," leading to accusations of glorifying her white heritage and thin physique. Social media users even compared the ads to "Nazi propaganda," causing a national uproar.

The controversy reached political circles, with former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance commenting on it. Trump, upon learning that Sweeney is a registered Republican, praised the ad, while Vance mocked the liberal backlash.

Unfazed by the Backlash

Despite the attention, Sweeney remained unfazed. She revealed that she was busy filming Euphoria and didn't pay much attention to the online chatter. "I kind of just put my phone away," she said, highlighting her focus on work.

Sweeney also addressed the rumors about American Eagle's stock rising amid the controversy. She clarified that many headlines were false and that the company was in a quiet period, preventing them from responding.

Current Projects and Open-Mindedness

Currently, Sweeney is promoting Christy, a biopic about boxer Christy Martin. She hopes that people can separate her personal beliefs and the jeans ad from her work, urging them to keep an open mind about art and learning.

questions

    If jeans are your go-to outfit, does that mean you're secretly a cowboy at heart?
    How do you reconcile your stance on not telling people what to think with the potential impact of the campaign's message?
    How do you respond to critics who argue that the American Eagle campaign perpetuated harmful stereotypes?

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