Sydney Sweeney stands by her American Eagle jeans campaign during the backlash

Sidney Sweeney Speaks Out on American Eagle Ad Controversy

Sidney Sweeney has decided to break her silence. The star of “Anyone but You” is addressing the backlash following the intense discussions surrounding American Eagle’s campaign featuring the slogan “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.”

Surprisingly, Ms. Sweeney didn’t foresee such a fierce reaction. “I was honestly surprised by the response,” she remarked. “I did it because I love jeans and I love the brand. I don’t support the opinions of some people associated with the campaign. Many have attached motives and labels to me that aren’t true.”

Controversy Amidst Successful Campaign

When the campaign launched on July 23, it quickly drew criticism. Some felt that the playful wordplay connecting “jeans” and “genes” bore racist implications.

Some even likened the provocative shoot to Brooke Shields’ infamous 1980 Calvin Klein advertisement. Typically someone who stays out of controversies, Sweeney began reconsidering her choice to remain quiet as the discussions about her intentions escalated.

Describing herself as someone who “leads with kindness,” Sweeney noted she felt compelled to clarify her stance. “Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always trying to bring people together. I’m against hate and division,” she stated.

She reflected on her usual policy of not responding to any press, positive or negative, but recognized that remaining silent only exacerbated misunderstandings. “I’ve realized that my silence on this issue only widens the gap rather than bridges it,” she shared. “I hope this new year brings more focus to what unites us, rather than what divides us.”

Commercial Sparks Debate

The commercial in question stirred significant controversy, particularly with its assertion that traits like hair color and personality are influenced by genetics. “My jeans are blue,” Sweeney adds as the camera zooms in on her features.

Upon the campaign’s debut, social media criticism intensified, with some users suggesting the messaging hinted at “eugenics” and “white supremacy.”

In response to the uproar, American Eagle released a statement on August 1, emphasizing that “’Sidney Sweeney Has Great Jeans’ is about jeans. Her jeans, her story.” They reiterated their commitment to celebrating diversity in how everyone wears AE jeans.

Recently, Sweeney addressed the issue in an interview with GQ, where she candidly acknowledged the unexpected backlash. “I put out an ad for jeans, and the response was definitely a surprise. But I love jeans. Jeans are all I wear. I literally wear jeans and a T-shirt every day,” she explained.