American Eagle Claps Back at Sydney Sweeney Jeans Ad Backlash
Jordan Collins: I guess I can simplify this for you.
If you were hoping for a mea culpa from American Eagle after the Sydney Sweeney jeans ad caused an uproar on TikTok, you can probably stop holding your breath. In an official Instagram post published on Friday, the brand made it abundantly clear that the tagline “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans” was always meant to highlight the denim, not any purported racial message that critics tried to assign to it. American Eagle’s statement reminded everyone that their only agenda is celebrating the confidence that comes from a great pair of jeans.
The controversy ignited shortly after the ad debuted last week. Observers on TikTok speculated that emphasizing Sydney Sweeney’s blonde hair and blue eyes was an implicit nod to white supremacist eugenics. Those comments prompted a public relations scramble, but a source close to the brand told TMZ that independent polling found roughly 70 percent of viewers actually liked the spot. According to that same insider, the vocal minority blowing up social feeds does not reflect the broader audience’s opinion.
In its Instagram clarification, American Eagle stated that the messaging has been “and always will be about the jeans.” The brand wrapped the post with the line “Great jeans look good on everyone,” directly addressing any claims of exclusion. That statement aligns with AE’s long–standing marketing ethos of inclusivity and body positivity, which the company says it will continue to champion across all campaigns.
For context, Sydney Sweeney has become one of Hollywood’s most talked–about stars in recent years, thanks to her breakout roles in buzzy dramas and her social media presence. American Eagle tapped her not only for her on–screen credibility but also because she embodies the youthful confidence the retailer aims to project. The company’s decision to double down shows just how invested they are in keeping the message denim–centric rather than letting it be derailed by fringe allegations.
Meanwhile, the TikTok community remains divided. Some users have moved on, praising the company for clarifying its intent, while others continue to question whether any ad can truly be neutral in today’s charged environment. American Eagle’s bottom line seems to be that if you love jeans, you’ll love the ad—and they’re willing to stand by that simple premise.
So there you have it: the brand sees no need for an apology, and it’s sticking to a straightforward denim narrative. If you ever needed proof that a good pair of jeans can spark both fandom and controversy, this probably covers it. Happy scrolling.
Hopefully that was not too complicated.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, TikTok
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
