Sydney Sweeney American Eagle Campaign Draws Social Backlash for Racial Implications

American Eagle's recent advertising campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney, titled "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans," has sparked significant controversy due to its wordplay on "great genes," which critics argue carries eugenicist and white supremacist connotations. The ads, which highlight Sweeney's blue eyes and blonde hair while referencing genetic traits, have been accused of promoting a racial ideal and echoing Nazi propaganda, with numerous social media users condemning the campaign as tone-deaf and regressive. The campaign's imagery and messaging, including a video where Sweeney discusses genes followed by the tagline "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans," have been interpreted as glorifying whiteness, leading to backlash across platforms like TikTok and Instagram. American Eagle's president Jennifer Foyle acknowledged the campaign was intended to have "a little mischief," but it has been met with widespread criticism for lacking diversity and sensitivity. Despite the uproar, the campaign continues to run, and the brand has yet to issue a detailed response addressing the accusations. This controversy highlights ongoing tensions around marketing, race, and cultural sensitivity in advertising.