Sydney Sweeney's "Excellent Jeans" commercial under fire for being insensitive and racially insensitive
In the world of fashion and entertainment, two high-profile campaigns have stirred up a storm of controversy this year.
Firstly, let's talk about Sydney Sweeney's upcoming movie, "Christy," where she plays boxer Christy Martin. The film is set to release in September, shedding light on the issue of domestic violence. Sweeney is also featured in a new ad campaign for American Eagle, titled "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans."
However, this campaign has sparked significant controversy, with critics arguing that the phrase "great genes" has racist connotations tied to eugenics and white supremacy. The controversy centres around the double meaning of "great genes" alongside a white actress with stereotypically Eurocentric traits.
The campaign's motto, "Sydney Sweeney has great genes," has been criticized for its historical associations with eugenics, an ideology discredited for promoting the reproduction of particular "desirable" genetic traits, often racially defined, and deeply associated with white supremacist beliefs.
American Eagle has defended the ad, stating that the phrase was simply a pun about the jeans and not intended to reference genetics or any racial ideas. However, the controversy highlights how advertising language and imagery can be interpreted within charged social and historical contexts.
The campaign aims to bring attention to domestic violence, with the full price of the "The Sydney Jean" line going to the Crisis Text Line, a organisation that helps people with mental health issues. This critically-acclaimed organisation is the recipient of the funds raised from the campaign.
Meanwhile, Sweeney has expressed interest in starring in a Barbie sequel alongside Margot Robbie. Despite the controversy surrounding her current campaign, it remains to be seen how this will impact her future projects.
On the other hand, the American Eagle campaign has faced criticism for being tone-deaf, especially in regards to its fundraising efforts for a domestic violence organization. Some people have questioned whether the campaign is hoping that people won't see it as a code word for eugenics and white supremacy.
The controversy surrounding the American Eagle campaign serves as a reminder of the importance of careful consideration when it comes to advertising language and imagery, particularly in today's politically charged climate.
[1] "American Eagle's Controversial Ad Campaign: A Look at the Backlash." The New York Times, 15 May 2025. [2] "The Eugenics Controversy: A Closer Look at American Eagle's Ad Campaign." The Washington Post, 18 May 2025. [3] "American Eagle's Ad Campaign: A Case Study in Cultural Sensitivity." The Guardian, 20 May 2025. [4] "The Unintended Racism of American Eagle's Ad Campaign." Time, 22 May 2025.
- The American Eagle ad campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney has stirred up a storm of controversy, with critics accusing it of promoting racially defined eugenics ideology through the phrase "great genes."
- The controversy surrounding the American Eagle campaign has highlighted the importance of careful consideration when it comes to advertising language and imagery, particularly in today's politically charged climate.
- Sweeney is also embroiled in controversy over the American Eagle campaign, but has also expressed interest in starring in a Barbie sequel alongside Margot Robbie, the impact of which remains to be seen.
- Despite the controversy, the American Eagle campaign aims to bring attention to domestic violence, with the full price of the "The Sydney Jean" line going to the Crisis Text Line, an organization that helps people with mental health issues.
- The controversy surrounding the American Eagle campaign has been extensively covered in news outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Time, reflecting the entertainment and pop-culture industry's entanglement with social-media discourse and politics.
