Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle Ad Sparks Outrage and Anti-Woke Praise

Sydney Sweeney, the breakout star from 'Euphoria' and 'White Lotus,' has found herself at the center of a heated debate with her latest American Eagle fall campaign titled "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans." The ad, featuring a playful promo video where Sweeney swaps 'Genes' for 'Jeans' on a billboard, has ignited a firestorm on social media. Critics have slammed the campaign as tone-deaf, pointing to historical connotations of the phrase 'great genes' tied to problematic ideals of beauty and race. Comments on Instagram range from disappointment over the lack of diversity in the creative process to extreme accusations of promoting harmful propaganda.

On the flip side, Sweeney's defenders argue the ad is harmless—a clever wordplay simply selling jeans, not ideologies. Many fans have praised her for steering clear of overly 'woke' advertising, with one bold statement on social platforms declaring her the end of such trends. Amid the controversy, the campaign's reach is undeniable, with Sweeney set to appear on 3D billboards nationwide, including the iconic Sphere in Las Vegas, alongside innovative AI try-on tech for customers.

What’s more, there’s a deeper layer to this story: all net proceeds from the 'Sydney Jean,' adorned with a butterfly emblem for domestic violence awareness, will support Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit offering free mental health support. This charitable angle adds a meaningful twist to a campaign otherwise mired in polarized reactions. Whether you see it as a misstep or a marketing win, Sweeney’s latest move proves she’s not just a Hollywood star—she’s a cultural lightning rod.