Sydney Sweeney Ad Campaign Faces Racial Symbolism Backlash Amid Stock Gains

Sydney Sweeney's new American Eagle jeans campaign has sparked significant controversy, with critics accusing it of promoting racialized and white supremacist undertones due to the tagline 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' and the play on the phrase 'great genes.' Detractors argue the campaign echoes eugenics-era language that historically celebrated whiteness and physical traits like blue eyes and blonde hair, drawing comparisons to Nazi propaganda and master race ideology. Despite this backlash, supporters and fans defend the campaign as a return to apolitical, straightforward advertising, emphasizing its commercial success with a notable spike in American Eagle's stock and widespread consumer approval. The campaign includes a limited-edition denim collection benefiting domestic violence survivors, and the company has not publicly addressed the accusations. The debate reflects broader cultural tensions around marketing, race, and 'woke' perspectives, with critics seeing tone-deaf insensitivity and supporters dismissing such claims as overreactions. Overall, the campaign has become a flashpoint illustrating the polarized reactions in American society to issues of race, representation, and advertising messaging.