Sydney Sweeney recently responded to the criticism surrounding her American Eagle jeans ad. The campaign, titled “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” launched in July 2025 and quickly drew backlash. Many people believed the ad promoted ideas of genetic superiority and racism.
Sydney Sweeney talks about Jeans ad controversy
In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, the Euphoria actress revealed that she was “surprised” by the reaction to the campaign. She explained that she agreed to do the ad simply because she loves the brand and its jeans and had no intention of conveying the ideas many have connected the ad to. The Anyone But You star said, “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.”
She initially felt it was best not to respond to either the positive or negative reactions to the campaign and chose to remain silent. However, Sweeney has now decided to speak up, acknowledging that her “silence” has only “widened the divide,” which she doesn’t want. “So I hope this new year brings more focus on what connects us instead of what divides us,” she further added.
Following the massive backlash, American Eagle, in the subsequent month of the campaign release, shared a statement on Instagram to clarify their stance on the controversy. The brand wrote, “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.”
Originally reported by Shazmeen Navrange on Mandatory.
