Months following the release of an American Eagle advertisement featuring Sydney Sweeney in jeans, the actress has addressed the ensuing controversy in an interview with GQ. Sweeney defended the ad, emphasizing her love for jeans and downplaying the online reactions it garnered.
In the ad, Sweeney cleverly played on the words “jeans” and “genes,” sparking a debate among internet users who interpreted it as having eugenicist implications. Responding to the backlash, American Eagle clarified that the ad solely focused on promoting jeans and not genetic concepts.
Despite significant media coverage and online discussions, Sweeney remained largely silent, even as prominent figures like U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance commented on the ad. The actress found the attention from such high-profile individuals surreal.
While acknowledging the impact of the ad on American Eagle’s stock performance, Sweeney revealed that she was occupied with filming and largely detached from social media during the backlash. The actress, who is currently involved in the series “Euphoria,” expressed her dedication to her work and limited exposure to the online reactions.
Sweeney’s upcoming projects include a biographical film titled “Christy,” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Addressing concerns that the controversy might deter viewers from watching “Christy,” which delves into domestic violence issues, Sweeney remained optimistic, hoping that audiences would remain open-minded despite online narratives.