Months after Sydney Sweeney showcased a pair of jeans in an advertisement for American Eagle, the actress has addressed the controversy surrounding it. In an interview with GQ, the star of “Euphoria” and “White Lotus” defended the ad while downplaying the online discourse that followed.
“I participated in a jeans ad. The reaction was unexpected, but I have a genuine love for jeans. They are my daily attire alongside a T-shirt,” Sweeney shared with the magazine.
The ad featured Sweeney cleverly playing on the words “jeans” and “genes,” leading some online users to interpret it as having eugenicist connotations. Eugenics is a debunked theory suggesting that human genetics can be enhanced through selective breeding.
“Genes are hereditary traits passed down from parents to children, influencing characteristics like hair color, personality, and eye color. My jeans are blue,” Sweeney stated in the ad.
American Eagle responded to the backlash by clarifying that the ad solely focused on jeans and not on genetics. The company emphasized celebrating everyone’s confidence in wearing their jeans uniquely.
Although the ad garnered significant media coverage and online debate, Sweeney remained silent, even after notable figures like U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance weighed in on it.
Reflecting on the attention from political figures, Sweeney described it as surreal. She acknowledged the positive impact on American Eagle’s stock following the ad’s release and subsequent earnings calls attributing the boost in sales to the ad.
Despite the social media backlash, Sweeney admitted to missing a bulk of it due to her intense filming schedule for “Euphoria,” leading her to disconnect from her phone while on set.
Sweeney, who recently premiered the film “Christy” at the Toronto International Film Festival, expressed confidence that any controversy surrounding her would not deter viewers from experiencing the film’s powerful messages, particularly on domestic violence awareness.
The actress remains optimistic that if someone is discouraged by online content, there are always opportunities to broaden their perspectives.