What's Inside?
- Sydney Sweeney defended her American Eagle “Great Jeans” ad, calling the backlash surprising but insisting it was simply about denim.
- 'The Euphoria' star refused to let controversy define her, saying, “I know who I am. I know what I value.”
- Sweeney ignored online outrage, focusing instead on filming Euphoria and promoting her new biopic Christy, showcasing grace under pressure.
When Sydney Sweeney finally broke her silence about the uproar surrounding her American Eagle “Great Jeans” campaign, few expected such poise. The Euphoria and Anyone But You star, often at the center of viral storms, addressed the controversy with a blend of grace, confidence, and refreshing maturity that defied the internet’s tendency toward outrage. Rather than engaging in public sparring, she chose calm reflection, proving she knows exactly who she is, and no one can define that for her.
Sydney Sweeney Defends Her “Great Jeans” Ad with Stunning Response
Earlier this year, Sydney Sweeney found herself in the eye of an unexpected media storm when American Eagle released its cheeky campaign, “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.” The playful pun, switching “jeans” to “genes,” quickly spiraled into accusations of racial insensitivity, with critics calling it a “dog whistle” and even “eugenics-themed.”
The backlash was swift, with social media users dissecting every frame of the ad, and even public figures like U.S. President Donald Trump weighing in for her support.
But for Sweeney, the entire controversy seemed blown out of proportion. Speaking to GQ magazine, she shared,
“I did a jean ad. 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.”
The Emmy-nominated actress explained that she knew exactly what the ad represented — great denim, not divisive politics. She continued,
“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.”
Sweeney admitted that while the backlash took her by “surprise,” it never defined her. “I’ve always believed that I’m not here to tell people what to think,” she said.
“I know who I am. I know what I value. I know that I’m a kind person. 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.”
Sweeney was not here to bow down to the critics’ response, as she would continue serving her best of own judgment for her bold decisions.
How Sydney Sweeney Rose Above the Noise
Even when the conversation reached surreal levels, with President Trump calling the ad “the HOTTEST out there,” Sweeney refused to engage. “I kind of just put my phone away,” she told GQ.
“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.”
Her focus, she said, remained on her craft, including her new film Christy, a biopic about trailblazing boxer Christy Martin. She expressed hope that people wouldn’t let online chatter overshadow powerful storytelling:
“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.”
Interestingly, Sweeney also dismissed claims that American Eagle’s sales took a hit after the controversy.
“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.”
Directed by David Michôd, Sweeney’s upcoming biographical sports drama is set for a November 7 release.
