Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad drew criticism earlier this year, and she recently addressed the backlash. The actress has largely stayed away from commenting on the matter. However, she has now responded to the heat the ad received over the last few months, saying that she was “surprised by the reaction.”
Sydney Sweeney responds to American Eagle jeans controversy
In a conversation with PEOPLE, the Euphoria star broke her silence on the controversy surrounding the American Eagle jeans ad that was released on July 23, 2025.
Sweeney said, “I was honestly surprised by the reaction. I did it because I love the jeans and love the brand. I don’t support the views some people chose to connect to the campaign. Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just aren’t true.”
“Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always trying to bring people together. I’m against hate and divisiveness,” the Anyone But You actress continued. “In the past, my stance has been to never respond to negative or positive press. But recently, I have come to realize that my silence regarding this issue has only widened the divide, not closed it. So I hope this new year brings more focus on what connects us instead of what divides us.”
Sweeney and American Eagle faced backlash over their jeans ad campaign titled, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.” Critics took issue with the way the ad seemed to play on a pun between “jeans” and “genes,” while prominently featuring the blonde, blue-eyed actress. Some online users compared it to Nazi propaganda or white supremacist messaging.
In response, American Eagle had defended the ad in an Instagram post on August 1. The company clarified, “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans’ is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story. We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.”
Nonetheless, the ad worked in American Eagle’s favor. In a press email, the company said that it sold out all the clothing line that Sweeney promoted in the ad.
Originally reported by Harsha Panduranga on Comingsoon.
