Overview
- Sweeney says she is against hate and divisiveness and acknowledges that staying quiet on the controversy only widened the divide.
- She explains she joined the campaign because she loves the brand and denies the motives and labels some have attached to her.
- The July ad used the line “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” which critics interpreted as a play on “genes” with racial undertones and as catering to the male gaze, drawing comparisons to Brooke Shields’ 1980 denim campaign.
- American Eagle defended the creative as being about denim and reported strong sales and sellouts, including the Sydney Jacket and a charity Sydney Jean benefiting Crisis Text Line.
- Sweeney first downplayed the issue in a November GQ interview and the debate has persisted, drawing political attention including praise from President Donald Trump as she promotes The Housemaid for a Dec. 19 release.