Sydney Sweeney has talked about the backlash from her “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” ad campaign for American Eagle. The campaign, which started in July 2025, got people talking about eugenics because it played on the words “jeans” and “genes.” The actress, who is known for “Anyone But You,” was surprised by the reaction and made her point clear in a recent interview with People.
The ad showed Sweeney talking about genetics like hair and eye color before showing her blue jeans. Critics said it glorified her white heritage and thin body, and some even called it “Nazi propaganda.” American Eagle said the campaign was only about the jeans and posted on Instagram that it was “always about the jeans.” Sweeney said that even President Donald Trump said something about it, calling the attention “surreal.”
Sweeney said, “I’m against hate and divisiveness.” She added that she took part because she loves the brand and doesn’t agree with the twisted interpretations. She wished she hadn’t stayed quiet at first because it “widened the divide” instead of bridging it. She hopes that 2026 will be a year of unity. Sweeney leads with kindness and wants to bring people together in the middle of the debate.
