Sydney Sweeney: American Eagle Jeans Ad, Backlash, & Why She Avoids Politics

Sydney Sweeney faced backlash for an American Eagle jeans ad, Sydney Sweeney Has Excellent Jeans, misinterpreted as promoting eugenics. American Eagle clarified the tagline referred to pants. Sweeney later expressed regret for her silence and maintained her refusal to discuss politics, preferring to focus on acting.

Some said that the campaign tagline, “Sydney Sweeney Has Excellent Jeans,” was a play on the term “wonderful jeans” versus “terrific genetics,” and rather was about promoting eugenics. The ad gathered so much online backlash at the time that it triggered American Eagle to respond, launching a statement that reviewed in component, “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was concerning the pants.

Sweeney Breaks Silence on Campaign Backlash

And she additionally recently spoke up concerning her “silence” about the after effects from the campaign, informing People, “In the past, my position has been to never ever respond to unfavorable or favorable press but just recently I have actually come to recognize that my silence concerning this issue has actually just expanded the divide, not shut it. I wish this new year brings even more focus on what attaches us instead of what splits us.”

“No,” she claimed when asked. I’m not below to talk on politics. I became an actor due to the fact that I like to inform stories, yet I do not believe in hate in any kind of kind.

The ‘MAGA Barbie’ Label & Public Scrutiny

Showing up on the cover of Cosmopolitan, the Ecstasy starlet was once more asked about going to the “facility of a great deal of society battle discussions,” likely a reference to her viral American Eagle jeans ad that stimulated widespread backlash. The recruiter asked Sweeney what she considers being classified “MAGA Barbie” abreast with her hesitancy to discuss her individual national politics, which she affirmed is a subject she will not be talking on.

Deconstructing the Controversial Tagline

Sweeney’s July 2025 American Eagle project stirred up controversy, partly because of an item of the advert where she claims, “Genetics are given from parents to spawn, commonly figuring out traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My pants are blue.”

Some said that the campaign tagline, “Sydney Sweeney Has Fantastic Jeans,” was a play on the term “great jeans” versus “terrific genetics,” and rather was concerning promoting eugenics. The ad amassed so much online reaction at the time that it motivated American Eagle to react, launching a statement that checked out in part, “Sydney Sweeney Has Excellent Jeans is and constantly was regarding the denims. Her denims. I mean, the reaction most definitely was a surprise, however I love pants. All I put on are jeans.

Her Firm Stance on Discussing Politics

When asked why she does not deal with or clarify supposition regarding her political views, the Christy celebrity claimed, “I have not figured it out. I just have to continue being who I am, since I recognize who I am. I can not make every person enjoy me.

“I recognized at the end of the day what that ad was for, and it was fantastic denims, it didn’t influence me one method or the other,” she informed GQ. “I have actually constantly believed that I’m not here to tell people what to think … when I have a problem that I intend to mention, people will certainly listen to.”

She formerly reacted to the debate in a November meeting with GQ, where she said, “I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction most definitely was a shock, but I enjoy pants. All I use are denims. I’m actually in pants and a Tee shirts on a daily basis of my life.” Sweeney added that it was “unique” to see the president and vice president speak about the ad.

“I’ve never ever been below to speak about politics. I’ve constantly been right here to make art, so this is just not a conversation I intend to go to the leading edge of,” Sweeney stated. “And I assume because of that, individuals wish to take it also further and use me as their own pawn. However it’s somebody else appointing something to me, and I can not control that.”

The ‘Ecstasy’ breakout transformed rom-com hitmaker (and now underwear business owner) is just one of one of the most spoken about numbers on the net– whether she likes it or otherwise. For Cosmo, Sydney talks dating as a celeb, … pic.twitter.com/ouprYfUPRW