NEW YORK — Spokane native and Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney is facing online controversy over her latest campaign with clothing brand American Eagle.
The campaign, which promotes a new line of denim called “The Sydney Jean”, features a bold tagline: “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.” However, the controversy began when the word “jeans” was originally written as “genes” in the ad and then crossed out and replaced.
Accusations Spark Online Backlash
While the play on words was likely intended as a cheeky reference to Sweeney’s looks and style, some online critics claimed that the use of the word “genes”—even crossed out—could carry racially charged or white supremacist undertones, linking it to Nazi-era ideas about genetics and purity.
The backlash spread across social media, with some calling the ad insensitive or tone-deaf, especially given the current cultural climate.
Silence from American Eagle and Sweeney
As of Monday afternoon, neither Sydney Sweeney nor American Eagle had issued a public statement regarding the controversy. The advertisement featuring Sweeney remains active and continues to run across multiple platforms.
NonStop Local reached out to American Eagle for a response, but no comment was received before publication.
About the Campaign
The campaign centers around “The Sydney Jean,” a denim line created in collaboration with Sweeney herself. The ad was meant to be playful and spotlight her involvement with the brand, capitalizing on her growing popularity from TV hits like HBO’s “Euphoria” and “The White Lotus.”
Public Reaction Remains Divided
The controversy has divided fans and viewers. While some argue the backlash is overblown and that the ad was clearly intended as a pun, others insist that large brands should be more careful with language and cultural context.
Whether the campaign will be pulled, updated, or addressed publicly remains to be seen. In the meantime, Sweeney continues to remain silent as the debate unfolds online.
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