Imagine a jeans ad sparking a political firestorm. That's exactly what happened to actress Sydney Sweeney after her American Eagle campaign, featuring a playful pun on 'genes' and 'jeans,' ignited a heated debate. But here's where it gets controversial: while some accused the ad of subtly promoting eugenics due to Sweeney's blonde hair and blue eyes, others, including former President Donald Trump, championed it as a bold statement. And this is the part most people miss: Sweeney herself, seemingly unfazed by the uproar, chose to distance herself from the controversy, stating she 'kind of just put her phone away' and didn't engage with the backlash.
In a recent GQ interview, Sweeney described the unexpected support from Trump as 'surreal,' acknowledging the initial dip in American Eagle's foot traffic but dismissing the overall impact on her personally. She also refused to directly address accusations of the ad promoting genetic superiority, stating, 'I think that when I have an issue that I want to speak about, people will hear.'
The ad, released in July, featured Sweeney declaring her jeans were blue, accompanied by the text 'Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.' American Eagle defended the campaign, insisting it was always about the jeans and that 'great jeans look good on everyone.' Despite the initial backlash, the company's stock surged after Trump's endorsement, with Q2 revenue exceeding expectations.
But the controversy doesn't end there. Sweeney's political leanings were thrust into the spotlight when it was revealed she registered as a Republican voter in Florida before Trump's 2024 election. This, coupled with a past incident involving MAGA-style hats at a family gathering, fueled further speculation. When informed of Sweeney's voter registration, Trump enthusiastically declared, 'Oh, now I love her ad… You'd be surprised at how many people are Republicans... If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic.'
Sweeney, however, has remained tight-lipped about her political affiliations, stating in a previous GQ interview, 'Honestly, I feel like nothing I say can help the conversation.'
This saga raises intriguing questions: Did the ad unintentionally tap into sensitive cultural anxieties? Did Trump's endorsement exploit the controversy for political gain? And what does Sweeney's silence on her political beliefs truly signify?
What do you think? Was the ad simply a clever play on words, or did it cross a line? Let us know in the comments.
