Sydney Sweeney is doubling down on the ‘racist’ controversy over the American Eagle ad
Sydney Sweeney is facing renewed backlash after doubling down on her involvement in controversial American Eagle brand – which critics are warning about RadarOnline.com the young actress now risks ‘blackballing herself in Hollywood’.
The Euphoria The 28-year-old star is now working with American Eagle on the ‘Syd For Short’ campaign, a denim-focused series of ads inspired by her nickname and personal style.
The campaign followed a hugely controversial ad rollout that drew criticism over the slogan “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” which was interpreted by some as a tone-deaf play on identity, race and white privilege – and accusations were made that it was linked to Nazi ideologies of creating a perfect race.
Still, Sweeney has now reiterated her stance in support of the brand as she promotes the latest American Eagle ads.
She said: “What’s really fun about working with American Eagle is that I’m showing a very authentic side of who I am. Everyone at home, my friends and my family, they know me as Syd, and so to show that side of my personality with American Eagle is very special to me.”
A source close to the situation said the decision to continue with the campaign strengthened control rather than spreading it.
“By delving further into the partnership, Sydney is effectively signaling that she stands behind the original message – and that’s where the tension lies,” the insider noted. “Some critics say it’s not just about denim ads anymore; it’s about perception and cultural awareness.”
‘There is a growing feeling in parts of the industry that she is misreading the room, and that could impact on the way she is seen professionally.
The source added, “She seems intent on taking herself out of Hollywood, which is filled with the kind of liberals who hated the first American Eagle ad she was involved in.”
Sweeney has defended her intentions and emphasized that her involvement stems from genuine enthusiasm for the brand and not a political or cultural statement.
She said of the response to her first ads: “I was honestly surprised by the response. I did it because I love the jeans and the brand. I don’t support the views that some people have attached to the campaign. Many have given me motives and labels that are simply not true.”
The Hollywood actress also addressed the wider criticism and highlighted her personal values.
Sweeney added, “Anyone who knows me knows that I always try to bring people together. I stand against hate and division. In the past, my position has been to never respond to negative or positive press, but lately I have come to realize that my silence on this issue has only widened the divide, not closed it. So I hope this new year will bring more attention to what unites us rather than what divides us.”
Another industry insider suggested the controversy reflects wider tensions around celebrity branding and public responsibility.
They said: “This is a moment where the gap between intention and interpretation is laid bare. Celebrities today operate in an environment where messages are instantly parsed, and even something as simple as a fashion campaign can become a focal point.”
American Eagle has also defended the campaign, stressing that the focus remains firmly on the product.
In a statement shared online, the company said the “genes” slogan was always intended to emphasize the jeans themselves and not to convey a broader meaning.
Craig Brommers, the brand’s Chief Marketing Officer, also highlighted Sweeney’s hands-on role in shaping the campaign’s creative direction.
He said the actress was “very involved” in selecting footage and story elements, underscoring what he described as an “authentic” collaboration rather than a transactional endorsement.
Another source familiar with the campaign said the fallout illustrates the risks associated with highly personalized branding.
They explained: ‘When a campaign relies heavily on someone’s identity, it inevitably opens the door to a deeper exploration of that person personally.
“Whether that’s fair or not, that’s the landscape now — and navigating the woke, cancel culture world we live in requires a level of awareness that not everyone gets right every time.”
