Lizzo Satirizes Sydney Sweeney American Eagle Ad Amid Racial Backlash

Sydney Sweeney's recent American Eagle ad, which plays on the double meaning of "genes" and "jeans," has sparked significant controversy, with critics accusing it of racially coded messaging and even promoting eugenics. Sweeney's line about having "blue genes" was interpreted by some as a dog whistle emphasizing whiteness, leading to backlash and calls that the campaign is tone-deaf and regressive. Pop star Lizzo responded by sharing a photoshopped meme of herself in a similar pose, captioned "My jeans are black…," injecting humor and a political statement about inclusivity into the debate. Despite the growing criticism and a dip in American Eagle's stock price, neither Sweeney nor the brand's CEO has directly addressed the accusations of white supremacy. The retailer has attempted damage control by featuring a Black model in the same campaign and pledging proceeds from a special jean line to a mental health charity. The conversation continues to divide audiences, with some viewing the ad as harmless marketing and others condemning it as racially insensitive and tone-deaf.