Sydney Sweeney is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. It’s her newest advertising campaign for American Eagle that has riled the public into a fiery battle. The more provocative part of the campaign is called “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.” It’s loaded with comedic touches that have earned it both accolades and criticism from various partisan camps.
The ad features Sweeney in an array of whimsical situations. At one point, Bobbi Kristina lightens the mood when a cameraperson loses their shot because they are distracted by her beauty. In one memorable scene, they physically cross out the word “genes.” They sub it for “jeans,” distinctly and methodically putting the brand’s denim roots in the foreground. Unfortunately, these have not been the only reactions to the campaign. Some social media users have dismissed it as tone-deaf, with one TikTok reaction video stating, “it’s literally giving … Nazi propaganda.”
The intrigue thickens Sweeney had registered to vote as a Republican in Florida on June 14, 2024. The announcement was followed almost immediately by news that he had bought a mansion in the Florida Keys. Whether you’re a fan or a critic, her political party choice has sparked some serious debate. Others laud her for having the guts to attack what they consider “woke” ads. Others are concerned that the campaign’s proposed messaging sounds too much like language associated with eugenics and white supremacy. The result has been a liberal heavens-to-Betsy backlash.
In response to the backlash surrounding both her political registration and the campaign, Sweeney released a statement clarifying her position. She lamented that “an innocent celebration … has turned into an absurd political statement, which was not the intention.” This request that she “stay out of it” lightly disguises her abhorrence at being associated with the controversial interpretations surrounding her last act.
American Eagle has joined Sweeney in defending the walk on campaign with an internal communications blitz that’s apparently still going. They further insisted that the purpose of “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” is not really “about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story. The company aims to separate itself from the political implications that have emerged in discussions about Sweeney’s personal choices and public persona.
The combination of Sweeney’s campaign ad and her unexpected switch to the Republican Party has generated a barrage of media coverage and interest. Critics fear that her move to the GOP will turn off a sizable segment of her fan base. This is especially the case for the folks who are deeply committed to more progressive values. Supporters point to her first amendment right to political expression.
In 2023, Sweeney faced scrutiny when she was photographed at her mother’s birthday party wearing hats reminiscent of those associated with Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) slogan. This confrontation had already sparked outcry and scrutiny over her apparent leftwing affiliations.
Sweeney is very much the moment’s media darling. She is one of the very few as she always makes a comeback with her stellar acting skills. On top of that, she artfully travels the jagged rocky social-political terrain.