Sydney Sweeney responds to the controversy over her American Eagle jeans ad, explaining why she avoided social media during the debate.
Actress Reignites Conversation
Months after the ad first aired, actress Sydney Sweeney has spoken publicly about the reaction to her American Eagle jeans campaign. The ad, which played on the words “jeans” and “genes,” prompted debate online over whether it promoted white beauty standards — a claim both Sweeney and the company deny.
The Ad and Public Reaction
The commercial features Sweeney discussing “genes passed down from parents” before noting that her own jeans are blue. Some social media users interpreted the line as referencing eugenics, a discredited ideology promoting selective human breeding. American Eagle stated at the time that the wordplay was solely about denim and emphasized the brand’s message that “great jeans look good on everyone.”
Political Figures Enter the Debate
The controversy escalated when U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance publicly commented on the ad. Sweeney told GQ that seeing senior political figures weighing in felt “surreal,” although she did not elaborate further on their remarks.
The Actress’s Limited Response During the Moment
Sweeney explained that she avoided most of the online discussion. Filming long days for the HBO series Euphoria, the actress said she often left her phone aside. “I kind of just put my phone away,” she said. Instead, Sweeney became aware of the campaign’s effect through reports that American Eagle’s stock rose and that the company credited the ad for increased sales.
Looking Ahead to New Projects
The actress continues to promote her upcoming films, including Christy, a biographical drama about boxer Christy Martin that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Asked whether the controversy could overshadow the film’s message on domestic violence, Sweeney said she hopes audiences remain open-minded. “If somebody is closed off because of something they read online… then I hope that something else can open their eyes,” she said.
