Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle Ad Faces Backlash for Racial Undertone

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Sydney Sweeney recently teamed up with American Eagle for their autumn clothing ad campaign. Unfortunately, the commercial has been met with a lot of negative feedback due to its slogan: “Sydney Sweeney Wears Great Jeans.” This is because some people perceived it as having racial undertones and found it insensitive.

Sydney Sweeney’s new ad faces backlash for racial undertone

Recently, American Eagle shared a fresh video on their Instagram page. The clip captures Sydney Sweeney, dressed in denim attire, strolling towards an American Eagle billboard showcasing her with the tagline “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes.” However, she didn’t stop there; she covered the entire billboard and then modified it. She erased the words “Genes” and replaced them with “Jeans” beneath the original tagline. After that, she casually walked away.

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The ad drew disheartened responses from fans, as they recognized that the phrase “Great Genes” has traditionally symbolized the glorification of white skin, thin bodies, and beauty. (Reported by Salon)

This is the result when there are no individuals of diverse backgrounds in a setting,” a fan commented, criticizing the clothmaker for becoming entangled in intricate wordplay, and overlooking what was strikingly evident to people of color. “I would anticipate this behavior from Abercrombie & Fitch… but not from you all,” they concluded.

“Read the room…” one fan commented.

Another shared, “Welp, no longer shopping at AE ever again, and neither will my future children.”

Neither Sydney Sweeney nor American Eagle has addressed the backlash against the ad directly.

At present, enthusiasts have the opportunity to acquire Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle assortment, known as Syd’s Choices, directly from the main site. Notably, some pieces are currently on sale, offering reduced prices compared to their original cost.

In this new promotional campaign for American Eagle, the star of Euphoria is showcased. You’ll see her on 3D billboards nationwide in the U.S., as well as on the iconic Sphere building in Las Vegas. Additionally, Snapchat users can engage with her through a special lens. Moreover, American Eagle offers an innovative technology called “AI-enabled try-on” where customers can virtually try on jeans to find their perfect fit (as reported by The Hollywood Reporter).

Moreover, the actress known for “Anyone But You” collaborated with American Eagle on the “Sydney Jean,” which is a special edition of their Dreamy Drape series. This unique piece showcases a butterfly motif symbolizing awareness about domestic violence. It’s worth mentioning that all the profits generated from the sales of these jeans will be donated in full to Crisis Text Line, a charitable organization offering free, confidential text-based mental health assistance and crisis intervention services.

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2025-07-28 13:10