Months after Sydney Sweeney showcased her favorite denim in an American Eagle advertisement, the actress has finally addressed the ensuing controversy in an interview with GQ. Sweeney expressed her love for jeans, stating that they are her daily wardrobe staple, despite the unexpected reaction to the ad.
In the ad, Sweeney cleverly played off the words “jeans” and “genes,” where some interpreted it as having eugenic implications. American Eagle clarified that the ad was solely about jeans and not genetics, emphasizing that great jeans look good on everyone.
Sweeney remained largely detached from the online debates and media coverage following the ad release, even as notable figures like U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance commented on it. She acknowledged the impact on American Eagle’s stock performance post-ad release but admitted to missing much of the social media backlash due to her busy filming schedule for “Euphoria.”
Despite the controversy, Sweeney remains focused on her upcoming projects, including the biographical film “Christy,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. When questioned about potential viewer backlash affecting the film’s message on domestic violence, Sweeney expressed optimism that differing perspectives could still prompt meaningful conversations.
Overall, Sweeney’s stance on the ad controversy and her commitment to her acting projects show her resilience amidst the online scrutiny.