Months following the appearance of Sydney Sweeney flaunting her denim attire in an American Eagle advertisement, the actress has finally addressed the ensuing controversy, albeit in a subdued manner.
During a conversation with GQ magazine, the star of “Euphoria” and “White Lotus” defended the ad while minimizing her focus on the subsequent online debates. Sweeney expressed her love for jeans, emphasizing that they are her go-to attire daily.
The advertisement featured Sweeney cleverly playing with the words “jeans” and “genes,” which some online users construed as having connections to eugenics, a discredited concept advocating for selective breeding to enhance human traits.
American Eagle responded to the backlash by clarifying that the ad was solely about jeans, not genetics, emphasizing inclusivity and confidence in wearing their jeans.
Despite substantial media coverage and discussions online, Sweeney remained reticent, even when notable figures like U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance commented on the ad.
Acknowledging the impact on American Eagle’s stock, Sweeney mentioned being cognizant of the positive market response post the ad release and subsequent earnings calls attributing the boost in sales to the advertisement.
Regarding the social media uproar, Sweeney admitted being largely unaware due to her demanding filming schedule for “Euphoria,” where she works long hours without her phone on set.
Sweeney, who recently premiered the film “Christy” at the Toronto International Film Festival, remains unfazed by the controversy potentially deterring viewers from the movie’s message on domestic violence, suggesting that she hopes other aspects of the film will resonate with audiences regardless.
