American Eagle recently addressed the controversy surrounding its Sydney Sweeney “great jeans” campaign. In an official statement shared on Instagram, the clothing company clarified that the campaign was always meant to focus on the jeans and Sweeney’s story. They emphasized their commitment to celebrating how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence in their own unique way.
The statement concluded by stating that “great jeans look good on everyone.”
This week, American Eagle launched their latest campaign featuring the “Euphoria” actress titled “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.” The campaign sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some criticizing it as “tone-deaf” due to alleged racial undertones, while others praised Sweeney for challenging “woke” advertising norms.
In a promotional video posted on Instagram, Sweeney is shown walking towards an AE billboard with the tagline “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes.” She crosses out “Genes” and replaces it with “Jeans” before walking away.
According to Salon, the term “great genes” has historically been associated with celebrating whiteness, thinness, and attractiveness. In a second ad, Sweeney is depicted fastening her jeans while discussing how genes determine traits like hair color and personality, emphasizing that her jeans are blue.
Janelle Ash, an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital, contributed to this article. Story tips can be sent to janelle.ash@fox.com.
