😲 Sydney Sweeney’s “Great Jeans” Ad Just BROKE the Internet! 😲
Is it a bold marketing win or a total misstep? American Eagle’s standing firm despite the online storm, and polls reveal fans can’t get enough of Sydney’s denim vibe! 🔥 What’s got everyone talking? Click to uncover the juicy details behind this controversy!
American Eagle Stands Firm Amid Sydney Sweeney Ad Outrage: Polls Show Fans Love It!
In the summer of 2025, American Eagle Outfitters found itself at the center of a social media firestorm with its “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” campaign. Launched on July 23, the ad features Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney promoting a fall denim collection, including a limited-edition pair dubbed “The Sydney Jean.” The campaign’s playful pun on “jeans” and “genes” sparked accusations of promoting eugenics, white supremacy, and sexist tropes, igniting outrage on TikTok, X, and Threads. Yet, according to insiders, American Eagle remains unfazed, with reported internal polls suggesting customers are loving the ad. As the controversy draws comparisons to a similar Dunkin’ Donuts campaign, the brand’s defiance and the ad’s surprising popularity raise questions about marketing, culture, and the power of celebrity in 2025. What’s driving the backlash, and why are fans rallying behind Sweeney? Let’s unpack the drama.
The Campaign That Lit the Fuse
The “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” campaign is a bold, visually striking push for American Eagle’s fall 2025 denim line. Sweeney, a 27-year-old actress known for The White Lotus and Euphoria, stars in a series of social media videos and billboards across New York and Las Vegas. In one clip, she leans over a Ford Mustang’s engine, wipes her hands on her jeans, and drives off. Another shows her zipping up jeans while reclining, saying, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My jeans are blue.” A billboard features Sweeney with the tagline “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes,” with “genes” crossed out and replaced with “jeans.” The campaign also promotes “The Sydney Jean,” a wide-legged pair with a butterfly motif symbolizing domestic violence awareness, with all proceeds donated to Crisis Text Line, a mental health nonprofit.
The ad’s lighthearted wordplay and Sweeney’s charisma were meant to capitalize on her star power, but the “genes” reference struck a nerve. Critics on TikTok and Threads accused the campaign of glorifying Eurocentric beauty standards, given Sweeney’s blonde hair and blue eyes, and evoking eugenics—a discredited pseudoscience tied to racial superiority. One TikTok video, garnering 100,000 views, called it “Nazi propaganda,” while a Threads user wrote, “Getting a blue-eyed, white woman to talk about perfect genetics feels weird.” The ad’s suggestive visuals, like a close-up on Sweeney’s cleavage, also drew comparisons to Brooke Shields’ controversial 1980 Calvin Klein campaign, fueling accusations of pandering to the male gaze.
American Eagle’s Defiant Stance
Amid the uproar, American Eagle has stood its ground. A TMZ report on July 31, 2025, quoted an insider saying the brand “doesn’t give a f**k” about the backlash, emphasizing that the campaign’s goal was to sell jeans and support a charitable cause. The insider claimed, “The absurd response from some corners of the internet is absolutely not how American Eagle’s customers feel.” On August 1, the brand doubled down with an Instagram statement: “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story. We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way.” Neither Sweeney nor her representatives have commented, mirroring the brand’s strategy of letting the controversy play out.
The insider’s reported defiance aligns with a broader trend. X posts from users like @nicksortor (“No apologies!”) and @ClownWorld_ (“Rare to see a brand stand firm these days 🔥🔥”) praise American Eagle for resisting what they call “woke” pressure. This stance echoes Dunkin’ Donuts’ response to its own “genetics” ad controversy, where actor Gavin Casalegno’s mention of his tan as “genetics” sparked similar outrage just days later. Both brands appear to be betting that the backlash will fade while the buzz drives sales.
Polls and Public Reaction: A Surprising Divide
The TMZ report cited an internal American Eagle poll claiming 70% of customers liked the ad, though specifics on the poll’s methodology or sample size are absent. This aligns with the campaign’s measurable impact: American Eagle’s stock soared 19% in premarket trading on July 23, earning Sweeney the “meme stock icon” label among investors. Social media posts on X reflect a vocal fanbase, with comments like “Woke advertising is dead. Sydney Sweeney killed it” and “I love her and think these ads are great.” Supporters argue the ad is a clever pun, celebrating Sweeney’s appeal without deeper intent. One user wrote, “It doesn’t hurt ANYONE. It’s literally an advertisement for jeans. Not for nazism.”
However, the backlash is equally fierce. TikTok users have called for boycotts, with one viral post stating, “American Eagle needs to delete those Sydney Sweeney ads. They are genuinely scary.” Threads users criticized the lack of diversity, with one noting, “This is what happens when you have no people of color in a room.” The controversy gained traction, with progressive commentators like Zellie Imani labeling it a “love letter to White nationalism.” Even Stephen Colbert, on The Late Show, called the outrage an “overreaction,” while right-wing figures like JD Vance mocked critics, saying, “My advice to Democrats is continue to tell everybody who thinks Sydney Sweeney is attractive is a Nazi.”
Comparison to Dunkin’ Donuts: A Cultural Flashpoint
The Dunkin’ ad, released July 29, 2025, intensified the debate. Featuring Casalegno saying, “This tan? Genetics,” it drew similar accusations of promoting white beauty standards. TikTok users called it “worse” than Sweeney’s ad due to its lack of a clear product tie-in, with one comment reading, “At least American Eagle had a pun. Dunkin’ just threw ‘genetics’ in for no reason.” The back-to-back controversies fueled speculation of a marketing trend, with some arguing brands are pivoting from “woke” inclusivity to appeal to conservative audiences post-2024 election. X posts like @myacatt51’s “Companies are trying to appeal to normal people again” reflect this sentiment, while critics see it as a regression to exclusionary ideals.
The Bigger Picture: Advertising in a Polarized Era
The Sweeney and Dunkin’ controversies highlight the tightrope brands walk in 2025’s polarized climate. After years of pressure to embrace diversity, some companies appear to be testing a return to traditional beauty standards, betting on mainstream appeal. The stock surge—American Eagle’s shares hit $11 after trading in the $9-$10 range—suggests financial success, even as social media amplifies outrage. The charitable aspect of Sweeney’s ad, supporting Crisis Text Line, has been largely ignored, with critics arguing the execution overshadows the intent.
The debate also underscores social media’s role. TikTok’s algorithm boosted critical videos, while X became a haven for defenders, creating echo chambers. The backlash mirrors earlier controversies, like Bud Light’s 2023 Dylan Mulvaney campaign, showing how quickly ads become cultural lightning rods. American Eagle’s silence, backed by reported customer approval, suggests confidence that the controversy will drive visibility without lasting damage.
Why Fans Are Loving It
The reported 70% approval in American Eagle’s poll, if accurate, reflects Sweeney’s star power. Her roles in Euphoria and The White Lotus have made her a Gen Z icon, and fans on X praise her “girl next door” charm. The ad’s nostalgic nod to Americana—Mustangs, denim, and Sweeney’s charisma—resonates with audiences tired of what they see as overly cautious marketing. The charitable tie-in, though under-discussed, adds a feel-good element for supporters.
What’s Next for American Eagle?
American Eagle’s defiance could set a precedent for brands facing similar backlash. By standing firm, they risk alienating progressive consumers but may gain loyalty from others. The stock boost and meme stock status suggest the gamble paid off, at least short-term. Sweeney, already navigating prior controversies like her 2022 MAGA hat photo, seems unbothered, focusing on projects like Euphoria Season 3.
Final Thoughts
American Eagle’s “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” campaign has ignited a cultural tug-of-war, with TikTok raging over its “genetics” messaging and fans cheering its bold defiance. Reported polls and insider claims paint a picture of a brand doubling down, confident in customer support. As the dust settles, the controversy reveals the challenges of advertising in a divided world—where a simple pun can spark a firestorm. Catch the ad on American Eagle’s socials and decide for yourself: clever marketing or costly misstep?