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Sydney Sweeney Says American Eagle Ad Backlash ‘Didn’t Affect’ Her in First Comments

In a GQ interview, she describes the political spotlight as surreal, disputing reports the campaign hurt store traffic.

Overview

  • Sweeney says she avoided the uproar by putting her phone away while working long days filming Euphoria.
  • She maintains the “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” campaign was about product, as critics alleged the wordplay nodded to eugenics and Nazi imagery.
  • President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance publicly defended her, which Sweeney called surreal.
  • She says she tracked performance metrics, noting American Eagle’s shares climbed and calling headlines about falling in‑store visits “made up” during the company’s quiet period.
  • American Eagle reiterated the ad was about jeans, and CEO Jay Schottenstein previously credited recent campaigns, including Sweeney’s, with significant impressions and improved results.