American Eagle has fired back at critics following a mixed reaction to its recent advertising campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney.
The clothing brand’s latest “Great Jeans” campaign, which debuted this week, has sparked heated debate on social media — forcing the company to defend its message amid accusations of being “tone-deaf.”
The campaign’s central video features Sweeney walking confidently toward a billboard with the tagline “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes.”
In a playful twist, Sweeney crosses out “Genes” and replaces it with “Jeans,” emphasizing the focus on American Eagle’s denim. T
he ad continues with Sweeney explaining the difference between genetic traits and her blue jeans, a nod to the product’s color.
Despite the lighthearted approach, the campaign quickly drew criticism for its alleged racial undertones, according to Fox News.
Several social media users accused the ad of echoing a phrase historically linked to “celebrating whiteness,” “thinness,” and “attractiveness.” One user commented on Instagram that the campaign was “entirely tone-deaf,” adding that it seemed to reflect a lack of diversity or awareness within the company’s creative team.
Others were harsher, condemning the campaign as insensitive and inappropriate, with some comments controversially comparing it to “Nazi propaganda.” The backlash underscored how