Sydney Sweeney is setting the record straight about her much-debated American Eagle campaign. The Euphoria star opened up in her new GQ cover story about the viral denim ad that unexpectedly sparked a national conversation, and even drew comments from the White House.
The Ad That Sparked a Firestorm
The campaign, built around the tagline “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” became a lightning rod earlier this year. What was meant to be a cheeky play on words, “jeans” versus “genes,” quickly turned into a political talking point.
Critics accused the campaign of glorifying Sweeney’s white heritage and slim physique, with some on social media comparing it to “Nazi propaganda.” What started as a simple denim ad spiraled into a full-blown controversy, drawing headlines far beyond the fashion world.
Sweeney’s Take: ‘I Did a Jean Ad’
Sweeney, 28, said she was caught off guard by the reaction. “I did a jean ad,” she told GQ. “The reaction definitely was a surprise. But I love jeans. All I wear are jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life.”
Rather than issuing a formal statement during the uproar, Sweeney said she chose to keep quiet. “I’ve always believed that I’m not here to tell people what to think,” she said. “I know who I am and what I value. I know that I’m a kind person.”
The Emmy-nominated actor added that she wasn’t closely following the backlash when it first erupted. Filming the third season of Euphoria, she said, kept her too busy to scroll. “I work 16-hour days and don’t really bring my phone on set,” she shared. “So I didn’t really see a lot of it.”
Trump’s Unexpected Endorsement
The controversy gained new life when Donald Trump publicly praised the ad in August, calling the backlash an example of “cancel culture run amok.” His vice president, JD Vance, also weighed in, mocking critics for their outrage.
Asked about Trump’s comments, Sweeney said only that it was “surreal.” When pressed on whether she felt supported by the former president, she demurred: “I wasn’t thinking of it like that, of any of it.”
Rising Stock and Unshaken Confidence
Despite the public furor, American Eagle’s stock reportedly jumped 38% amid the campaign’s visibility. Sweeney said she was aware of the numbers and dismissed early reports of slumping sales as inaccurate.
Now, with the drama behind her, Sweeney appears unfazed. “When I have an issue I want to speak about, people will hear,” she said, leaving the denim debate firmly in the rearview.
