Tesla pokes fun at American Eagle in a sassy denim remark following the inflammation of the Sydney Sweeney advertisement disagreement
In the fashion world, a new controversy has arisen surrounding actress Sydney Sweeney's latest ad campaign for American Eagle. The campaign, which features Sweeney modelling a pair of jeans, has sparked accusations of promoting eugenics and white purity dog whistles due to the wordplay between "jeans" and "genes."
The ad includes a line about how "genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color," while showcasing Sweeney, who has blonde hair and blue eyes—traits historically idealized in white beauty standards. Critics argue this pairing evokes "good genes" messaging linked to eugenics, an outdated and racist theory about improving human populations by selective breeding, historically tied to Nazi ideology and white supremacy. They see the ad as subtly celebrating a narrow, exclusionary beauty ideal that aligns with racist undertones.
However, it's important to note that the proceeds from the jeans from the ad campaign are intended to support a mental health support hotline. Furthermore, a butterfly motif on the back pocket of the jeans represents domestic violence awareness, a cause that Sweeney supports.
The backlash has taken a toll on American Eagle's stock, with the ticker AEO seeing a drop as the controversy persisted. The company has yet to respond to FOX Business' request for comment regarding the controversy.
The debate has sparked heated discussions, with some people on social media finding Sweeney's blue eyes and blonde hair to be a "white purity dog whistle." On the other hand, Piers Morgan tweeted that the Sydney Sweeney furor perfectly epitomizes why the woke left is so bonkers.
Meanwhile, Tesla, headed by Elon Musk, made a joke about the situation, with a video of a robotic arm performing automated durability testing on its car seats accompanied by the caption "Our seats robot also has great jeans." Tesla doubled down on its joke, writing "Seatney" in a follow-up comment.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the power of language and the importance of careful consideration in advertising.
References:
[1] Article 1 [2] Article 2 [3] Article 3
- The social media realm is abuzz with discussions, some arguing that Sydney Sweeney's ad for American Eagle subtly promotes a narrow, exclusionary beauty ideal, while others question the validity of such claims as heard through the debate.
- As the entertainment industry continues to shape pop-culture, the controversy surrounding Sweeney's ad campaign serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the potential impact of questionable language choices in advertising and the need for careful consideration in shaping societal standards.
