Sydney Sweeney Addresses American Eagle Ad Backlash Denying Eugenics Connection
Sydney Sweeney has offered further insights into her involvement with American Eagle's recently contentious denim advertisement.
"The 28-year-old actress expressed her genuine astonishment at the public's response, telling People in a piece released on Friday, December 5, 'I participated because of my genuine affection for the denim and the label.' She further clarified, 'I do not endorse the interpretations that some individuals have linked to the campaign.'"
She added, "Numerous individuals have attributed intentions and characterizations to me that are simply unfounded."
This summer, the leading lady of The Housemaid served as the central figure for American Eagle's denim promotion, which premiered with the slogan, "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans." The advertisement employed a linguistic double entendre between "jean" and "gene," igniting a social media furor alleging that American Eagle and Sweeney were endorsing eugenics. (Eugenics refers to a largely disproven ideology focused on enhancing human heredity, frequently linked with concepts of white supremacy.)
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Both American Eagle and Sweeney refuted these allegations, asserting their sole purpose was to market denim trousers. The acclaimed actress, speaking to People, additionally emphasized her consistent endeavor to "act with benevolence."
"Those acquainted with me understand my continuous efforts to unite individuals. I oppose animosity and fragmentation," Sweeney communicated to the publication. "Historically, my approach has been to refrain from commenting on any press, whether critical or complimentary; however, I've recently come to understand that my quietness on this particular matter has only exacerbated, rather than ameliorated, the schism. My wish for the upcoming year is for greater concentration on our shared commonalities rather than our differences."
Sweeney had previously addressed the contentious advertisement last month, informing GQ that she hadn't anticipated the slogan would incite such strong polarization.
"It wasn't that I lacked a gut feeling, but I simply wasn't perceiving it in that manner, any of it. I generally tucked my phone away. I was on set daily," she recounted to GQ in a November feature. "I'm currently engaged in filming Euphoria [season 3], which entails 16-hour workdays, and I typically leave my phone off-set. Consequently, I work, return home, and rest. I wasn't largely exposed to the unfolding situation."
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Sweeney, who also mentioned she "literally" dons jeans and a T-shirt "on a daily basis," remained unaffected by the ensuing criticism.
"I believe that when I have a matter I wish to address, people will listen," she stated to GQ, further acknowledging her understanding of the campaign's commercial aspects. "I was cognizant of the metrics throughout the process. Therefore, when I observed all the reports suggesting a specific percentage drop in in-store visits, none of it held truth. It was entirely fabricated, but no one could comment because the company was in its silent period."
She concluded, "It was largely just chatter, and knowing ultimately what the advertisement intended to promote – excellent jeans – it held no sway over me whatsoever."
American Eagle additionally issued an official declaration concerning the advertising effort.
"'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' is, and always has been, exclusively about the denim. Her specific pair. Her personal narrative," the retail brand conveyed in an August social media update. "We will persist in celebrating the confident and individual ways everyone styles their AE denim. Exceptional jeans flatter every physique."
