Conservative politician Ted Cruz supports actress Sydney Sweeney and American Eagle's 'good jeans' advertisement against accusations from the 'progressive Left'
In a bid to raise awareness about domestic violence, American Eagle has launched a limited-edition Sydney jean. The proceeds from the sales will go to a nonprofit crisis counseling service. However, the campaign has stirred controversy due to perceived racist undertones [1][2].
The advertising campaign, featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, has been criticised for its use of the phrase "great genes," which some argue evokes historical connotations of white beauty ideals, eugenics, and exclusivity. The promo video shows Sweeney crossing out "Genes" and replacing it with "Jeans," while emphasising her blue eyes, which critics interpret as celebrating white features [1].
The controversy has resulted in increased exposure for Sweeney. However, former Fox News host Megyn Kelly accused detractors of reading too much into the campaign's message [3].
Experts, such as Marcus Collins, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, suggest that the campaign might have avoided criticism if it had included diverse models making the same "genes" pun [2]. Collins believes that focusing solely on Sweeney has been seen as exclusionary and possibly reflects ignorance, laziness, or intentional racial signaling.
The phrase "great genes," according to historical context cited by Salon, has been used to celebrate whiteness, thinness, and attractiveness, which adds to the controversy [1].
American Eagle defended their message, stating that the campaign was about the jeans and individual confidence rather than genetics or race. They emphasised inclusivity, arguing that "great jeans look good on everyone" [1]. However, the debate continues about whether the campaign's creative choices were appropriate or damaging to the brand’s image [2].
The company described Sweeney's charm and playful energy as the hallmark of the bold campaign. They also announced plans for a limited-edition Sydney jean in a news release [4].
References:
[1] Fox Local Reporting and Associated Press [2] Salon [3] Post on X [4] American Eagle News Release
*Note: This article is based on the provided bullet points and should not be interpreted as an opinion piece or a definitive conclusion. The controversy surrounding the ad is ongoing, and readers are encouraged to form their own opinions based on the information presented.
**Disclaimer: This article does not contain any advertisements. It is purely informative in nature.
- The controversy surrounding American Eagle's Sydney jean campaign has expanded beyond the fashion industry, with critics advocating for more diverse models to avoid perceived racial insensitivity.
- Marcus Collins, an assistant professor of marketing, suggests that the exclusive use of actress Sydney Sweeney in the campaign may have inadvertently signaled racial exclusivity, fueling criticism.
- With the focus on Sweeney's blue eyes in the promo video, some argue that the campaign has elevated white features in the realm of pop-culture and entertainment, contributing to the ongoing debate about racial undertones in business advertising.
