Sydney Sweeney addresses American Eagle campaign backlash
Sydney Sweeney opened up about the unexpected backlash to her American Eagle campaign, which played on the words "jeans" and "genes."
Some critics accused the ad of promoting eugenics, but Sweeney told GQ she was surprised by the reaction and just really loves wearing jeans.
She called President Trump's praise for the ad "surreal," but hasn't shared her political views publicly.
The ad that started a debate
The campaign dropped in July 2025 and quickly sparked debate online, with some people drawing comparisons to Brooke Shields's iconic Calvin Klein ads from the '80s.
While critics took issue with both the wordplay and the imagery, American Eagle said their goal was simply to celebrate confidence and individuality.
Sweeney stands by her love for jeans
Despite all the noise, Sweeney stood by her love for jeans—saying she basically lives in them every day—and didn't wade into any political discussions.
The whole situation highlights how tricky it can be for brands (and celebs) to get their message across without sparking controversy.