Sidney Sweeney Addresses American Eagle Campaign Backlash
Sidney Sweeney has decided not to comment on the criticism surrounding the American Eagle “Great Jeans” campaign. As the 27-year-old actress prepares for the premiere of her new biopic “Christie” at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5th, she’s focused on her work rather than the backlash from the campaign that debuted in July.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Sweeney, who portrays former professional boxer Christy Martin, emphasized her intention to steer the conversation back to the film. “I’m there to support my film and the people involved in making it. I’m not there to talk about jeans,” she stated, underscoring that the story is about Christie, not the ads.
The ad campaign, featuring Sweeney, had faced backlash for its wording. It sparked accusations related to eugenics after a promotional video showed her replacing the word “genes” with “jeans.” In that video, she humorously links her blue jeans to the color of her eyes, saying, “My jeans are blue.” Critics deemed the ads “tone deaf” due to perceived racial undertones, while some, including former President Trump, lauded the campaign.
After the controversy unfolded, American Eagle removed the ad from its social media platforms. The brand later issued a statement clarifying that the campaign was always intended to celebrate their jeans and Sweeney’s story.
Sweeney’s representative has not responded to requests for comment regarding the backlash. Meanwhile, she aims to focus on her role in “Christie,” which chronicles the life of Christy Martin, a trailblazing female boxer from West Virginia. The film delves into Martin’s tumultuous relationships, including her marriage to her trainer and a near-fatal incident in 2010.
Sweeney expressed bewilderment that Martin’s story isn’t more widely known, calling her one of the most inspiring yet tragic figures she’s encountered. She detailed her intense preparation for the role, gaining over 30 pounds and training rigorously—both physically and in boxing techniques—reflecting on how empowering the experience felt.
Even with her background in combat sports, she found boxing skills particularly challenging but exhilarating. “You’re squared in a different way,” she noted, contrasting it with her previous training in jiu-jitsu and kickboxing. During the filming of fight scenes, Sweeney revealed that the actors engaged in actual physical contact, resulting in bruises and concussions at times.
Sweeney also shared her nerves when meeting Martin during filming. However, she found comfort in Martin’s enthusiasm. “She’s cheering for you and she’s screaming, ‘I hit him with the hook!'” Sweeney recounted, highlighting a memorable moment of connection between them.
