Sydney sweeney Breaks Silence on American Eagle Ad Controversy, Calls TrumpS Support “Surreal”
Three months after an American Eagle advertisement sparked accusations of racism and eugenics, actress Sydney Sweeney has finally addressed the uproar.In a new interview with GQ, the 28-year-old described her surprise at the backlash, stating simply, “I did an ad for jeans. Honestly,the reaction was a surprise,but I love jeans. I only wear jeans. I’m literally in jeans and a t-shirt every day.” The controversy erupted after Sweeney, in the ad, stated “Genes are passed down from parents to their children…My jeans are blue,” a line critics deemed insensitive and alluding to harmful ideologies.
The advertisement quickly ignited a firestorm online, prompting American Eagle to issue a statement clarifying the slogan was “about jeans” and denying any malicious intent. Sweeney remained publicly silent throughout the initial wave of criticism, continuing with scheduled appearances. The incident underscores the heightened scrutiny celebrities face in today’s social media landscape, where seemingly innocuous statements can be rapidly interpreted and amplified. Sweeney’s response, while brief, marks a turning point, offering a direct, if understated, reaction to the months-long debate and perhaps signaling a desire to move past the controversy.
Adding another layer to the saga, former President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Sweeney and the ad on his social media platform, Truth Social, in August, calling her “HOT” and noting the jeans were “selling like hot cakes.” Sweeney described the presidential support as ”surreal” in the GQ interview, offering her first comment on the unexpected political endorsement.
