Comedians, Celebrities Defend Sydney Sweeney Amid American Eagle Ad Backlash

Sydney Sweeney has faced significant backlash for her American Eagle jeans campaign, which used a pun linking "jeans" and "genes" and featured lines about genetics that some critics interpreted as promoting racist or eugenic ideas. The controversy escalated on social media, with accusations that the ad carried racial and political undertones, prompting American Eagle to clarify that the campaign was solely about denim and not a political statement. Several public figures, including Dr. Phil McGraw, singer Halsey, and comedian Matt Rife, have come to Sweeney's defense, criticizing the disproportionate outrage and urging support for the actress and the campaign. Dr. Phil condemned comparisons of the ad to historical atrocities, calling such reactions insulting, while Halsey emphasized the importance of appreciating the film "Americana" independently of the advertising controversy. Matt Rife highlighted the toxicity of online backlash and supported Sweeney in navigating the intense criticism, also referencing her previous controversies such as selling bathwater soaps. Overall, the defense from these celebrities underscores a pushback against what they view as unfair and exaggerated online condemnation of Sweeney's work and image.