Overview
- Asked by GQ to respond to concerns that white people should not joke about genetic superiority, Sweeney declined and said she speaks out when she has an issue.
- She described the uproar over the American Eagle spot as surprising and emphasized that she simply loves wearing jeans.
- British photographer Misan Harriman urged Sweeney on Instagram to acknowledge harm to Black people, calling the campaign celebrated by eugenics believers.
- Public response split sharply online, with some accusing her of pandering to bigots and others lauding her interview as a PR masterclass.
- The American Eagle ad, released in late July, went viral for its 'great jeans' wordplay that many interpreted as implying 'great genes' and evoking eugenics.