Imagine being branded a symbol of hate simply for starring in a jeans commercial. That's the reality Sydney Sweeney faced, and her response is surprisingly calm and collected. The "Euphoria" star is finally breaking her silence on the American Eagle jeans campaign that sparked a massive controversy earlier this year, and her perspective might surprise you. Speaking candidly to GQ magazine for a recent cover story, Sweeney revealed why she refused to issue a formal statement defending the ads amidst the intense public backlash. Her reasoning? "I’ve always believed that I’m not here to tell people what to think." That's a pretty strong statement, but here's where it gets controversial...
Sweeney's core message is one of self-assurance. "I know who I am. I know what I value. I know that I’m a kind person," she stated. "I know that I love a lot, and I know that I’m just excited to see what happens next. And so I don’t really let other people define who I am." This highlights her commitment to personal conviction over external validation. She's essentially saying, 'I know my truth, and that's enough.'
Addressing the campaign directly, Sweeney's explanation is remarkably straightforward. "I did a jean ad," she said. "I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans. I’m literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life… I knew at the end of the day what that ad was for, and it was great jeans, it didn’t affect me one way or the other.” It sounds like the actress didn't take the attacks personally and focused on the simple fact that she was promoting a product she genuinely liked.
The controversy stemmed from the American Eagle campaign's tagline, "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans," a play on words alluding to “great genes.” This seemingly innocuous phrase ignited a firestorm online, with critics accusing the company of glorifying Sweeney's white heritage and perceived thin physique. Some went as far as to draw shocking comparisons to "Nazi propaganda." And this is the part most people miss... the reaction wasn't just online chatter; it escalated into a national debate.
The outcry reached such a fever pitch that even the Trump White House weighed in, with communications manager Steven Cheung decrying the backlash as a prime example of "cancel culture run amok." Vice President JD Vance joined the fray, mocking liberals for creating a hysteria around the campaign and sarcastically suggesting that Democrats were branding anyone who found Sweeney attractive as a Nazi. It even prompted Donald Trump to comment on the ads after reports surfaced that Sweeney was a registered Republican. Trump's response? "She’s a registered Republican? 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 described the involvement of Trump and Vance as "surreal" but maintained that she largely ignored the broader controversy. She explained, "I kind of just put my phone away. I was filming every day. I’m filming ‘Euphoria,’ so I’m working 16-hour days and I don’t really bring my phone on set, so I work and then I go home and I go to sleep. So I didn’t really see a lot of it.” This highlights how choosing to disengage from the negativity was a coping mechanism for the actress.
One detail that did catch Sweeney's attention was the reported rise in American Eagle's stock (38%) amidst the controversy. She clarified, “I was aware of the numbers as it was going. So when I saw all the headlines of in-store visits were down a certain percentage, none of it was true. It was all made up, but nobody could say anything because [the company was] in their quiet period. So it was all just a lot of talk.” Her statement suggests that at least some of the negative press surrounding the campaign was based on inaccurate information.
Currently, Sweeney is promoting "Christy," her critically acclaimed biopic about boxer Christy Martin. Addressing those who might boycott her work due to her politics or the jeans ad, Sweeney offered this perspective: "I think that if somebody is closed off because of something they read online to a powerful story like ‘Christy,’ then I hope that something else can open their eyes to being open to art and being open to learning, and I’m not going to be affected by that.” This demonstrates her desire for audiences to appreciate her work independently of external controversies.
Ultimately, Sweeney's response to the American Eagle controversy is a testament to her resilience and self-awareness. She refused to be defined by the opinions of others and remained focused on her values and her work. But, could her silence be interpreted as tacit acceptance of the potentially harmful messaging some perceived in the campaign? Or is it a valid strategy for navigating the often-toxic landscape of social media and public opinion? What are your thoughts? Head over to GQ’s website to read Sweeney’s cover story in its entirety.
