Sydney Sweeney Finally Breaks Her Silence Over Backlash American Eagle Outfitters controversial companies advertising campaign earlier this year.
The 28-year-old Euphoria star became the target of online criticism after appearing in brand advertising with the slogan “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.” This slogan – a play on the phrase “great genes” – has led many to accuse Sweeney and American Eagle of promoting harmful beauty standards that glorify white women.
Talking to GQ magazineSweeney said the uproar over the ad, which became so intense that President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance came to its defense, ultimately “didn't affect” her.
“I did a jeans commercial. I mean, the reaction was definitely a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear is jeans. I literally wear jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life,” Sweeney said.
Sweeney added that it was “surreal” to publicly defend her against Trump and Vance, but said she had largely ignored the controversy.
“I just put my phone away,” she said. “I was filming every day. I'm filming Euphoria, so I work 16 hours a day and I don't take my phone with me on set, so I work and then go home and go to bed. So I didn't really see that much.”
Asked to elaborate on the criticism surrounding jokes about genetic superiority in advertising, Sweeney told GQ: “I think when I have an issue that I want to talk about, people will listen.”
She went on to say that she knew that American Eagle shares soar following its advert and sparked online rumors of a reduction in store visits in response to the brouhaha.
“It was all made up, but no one could say anything because (the company was) in a quiet period. So it was all just a lot of talk. And because at the end of the day I knew what the ad was for, and they were great jeans, it didn't affect me one way or another,” she said.
On August 1, American Eagle issued a statement. dispute resolution.
“'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' has always been about jeans. Her jeans. Her story,” the company said in a statement.
“We will continue to celebrate how everyone wears AE jeans with confidence and in their own way,” the company added. “Great jeans suit everyone.”
