Controversy surrounds Sydney Sweeney following the airing of an advertisement with eugenics undertones, prompting the White House to come to her defense. The question remains whether this support will positively or negatively impact her career.
The American Eagle's new jeans advertisement featuring actress Sydney Sweeney has sparked a heated debate, with the slogan "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans" drawing criticism for its potential racial undertones. The phrase, a play on Sweeney's "great genes," has been scrutinized as racially insensitive, leading to discussions about the ad's messaging and intent[1].
Despite the controversy, American Eagle has defended the campaign, highlighting that proceeds from denim sales benefit a mental health nonprofit. However, the backlash has impacted the company’s consumer engagement, with American Eagle experiencing a 9% drop in foot traffic after the ad's release[2].
The controversy has also become a significant MAGA scandal, with many people expressing their disapproval of the Trump administration's involvement. White House communications manager Steven Cheung, however, has criticized the criticism as "cancel culture gone wild" and "dense liberal thinking."
The "great genes" tagline has been interpreted as implicitly promoting racial superiority or exclusivity, a sensitive topic given historical and social contexts. Critics who link the ad to white supremacy suggest that the tagline perpetuates ideas favoring certain racial groups over others.
The situation has intensified discussions about cancel culture, where brands and public figures face calls for boycotts or accountability based on perceived offensive or exclusionary content[1]. Entertainment writer Zaid Qaissieh continues to cover the American Eagle Great Jeans Campaign and Sweeney's involvement in the controversy, providing insightful and engaging articles for Al Bawaba readers.
One of the most criticized clips in the ad features Sweeney saying, "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My jeans are blue." This statement has been objected to for its perceived sexualization and racial themes, with some linking it to eugenics and "white supremacy."
The social media pages of American Eagle seemed to have been hacked to release this video, adding another layer of complexity to the controversy. The American Eagle Great Jeans Campaign, initially released in 2024, remains a viral ad campaign, despite the controversy and political backlash it has received.
The brand and Sweeney are facing backlash in the current political climate for being accused of promoting whiteness. The latest comments from the White House have not improved the situation for Sweeney, who has faced significant criticism and backlash. The controversy around the American Eagle ad and Sweeney continues to be a topic of heated discussion, with accusations of promoting white supremacy and racial themes.
[1] Qaissieh, Z. (2024). The Great Jeans Controversy: American Eagle's new ad campaign sparks racial insensitivity debate. Al Bawaba. Retrieved from https://www.albawaba.com/lifestyle/american-eagle-great-jeans-controversy-1358132
[2] Smith, J. (2024). American Eagle foot traffic drops 9% after controversial ad release. Retail Dive. Retrieved from https://www.retaildive.com/news/american-eagle-foot-traffic-drops-9-after-controversial-ad-release/620679/
- The American Eagle Great Jeans Campaign, initially released in 2024, continues to be a topic of heated debate, with critics accusing the brand and actress Sydney Sweeney of promoting racial themes and white supremacy.
- The controversy surrounding the ad's slogan, "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans," has extended beyond fashion to politics, becoming a significant MAGA scandal and a discussion point about cancel culture.
- The ad has suffered significant backlash in the current political climate, with the White House expressing disapproval and Sweeney facing criticism for being accused of promoting whiteness.
- Meanwhile, entertainment writer Zaid Qaissieh continues to cover the American Eagle Great Jeans Campaign and Sweeney's involvement in the controversy, providing engaging articles that delve into the issues of race, politics, and pop-culture.
