Why Sydney Sweeney’s Reaction To The ‘Disturbing’ American Eagle Jeans Campaign Has Made Things Worse

The actress finally responded when asked about the controversial American Eagle campaign — but her answer hasn’t gone down well.

Sydney Sweeney’s recent comments about her American Eagle “good jeans” campaign have reignited criticism that had already been brewing for weeks. What seemed like a simple promotional tagline has quickly turned into a much larger debate about tone, timing, and responsibility in advertising.

The campaign featured Sweeney — who is white, blonde, and blue-eyed — posing in a pair of jeans with the tagline: “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.”

While some viewers initially thought it was just a cheeky play on words referring to her appearance, many others raised serious concerns. They argued that pairing a slogan about “genes” or “genetics” with a white woman known for her beauty risked echoing language associated with racial superiority and eugenics, making the ad feel insensitive in today’s political climate.

Critics argued that jokes tied to genetics — especially in a country where racial and political tensions remain high — can’t be separated from their darker historical context. For many, the ad crossed a line, even if it wasn’t intentional.

However, it wasn’t just the ad itself that stirred anger. Sweeney’s handling of the backlash has made things worse. She’s been accused of dismissing concerns altogether after choosing not to address the criticism or offer any acknowledgment of why people might have found the campaign offensive.

During a recent interview with GQ journalist Katherine Stoeffel, Sweeney was directly asked about the controversy but appeared reluctant to engage, avoiding the topic several times throughout the conversation.

Sweeney declined to address the controversyMaya Dehlin Spach/Getty Images

At one point, Stoeffel pressed further and asked: “Is there something that you want to say about the ad itself? The criticism of the content was basically that, maybe specifically in this political climate, white people shouldn’t joke about genetic superiority.”

Sweeney’s answer was short and firm: “I think that when I have an issue that I want to speak about, people will hear.”

Her curt response made it clear that she didn’t intend to elaborate on the matter, which many saw as an attempt to sidestep accountability rather than confront the criticism head-on.

But instead of putting the issue to rest, her reaction sparked even more outrage online. Social media users quickly weighed in, accusing the actress of being dismissive and out of touch.

One commenter suggested that her seemingly indifferent response could reveal more than she intended, writing: “Oh sh*t she might actually be racist.”

Another user highlighted the irony of her stance, pointing out that her fame largely comes from Euphoria, a series celebrated for its diverse cast and representation, writing: “You are famous because of a show featuring a black woman and a trans woman at the forefront.”

Sweeney’s response only increased the controversyMaya Dehlin Spach/WireImage/Getty

Others drew comparisons between Sweeney’s current calm demeanor and how she’d previously reacted to criticism. One person noted that she had once broken down in tears online after being called unattractive, writing: “Sydney Sweeney trying to act cool and unbothered like she didn’t post that video a few years ago sobbing about people on twitter calling her ugly.”

Meanwhile, another social media user reflected on how some celebrities manage controversy differently, implying that Sweeney’s lack of charisma made her situation worse.

They commented: “The biggest issue to me is that she really doesn’t have the offscreen charisma to get away with the kind of shenanigans she’s pulling.”

“She clearly wants to be some kind of celebrity troll, but she doesn’t have the charm to keep anyone interested.”

Post Views: 4