The latest advertising campaign by American Eagle, featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, has sparked a wave of controversy on social media.
The campaign, which cleverly plays on the word "genes" with the tagline "Sydney Sweeney has good jeans," showcases Sweeney in various pairs of the brand's denim. In one of the ads, Sweeney quips, "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue."
This lighthearted remark has ignited a storm of criticism, particularly from left-leaning individuals on platforms like TikTok, who have accused the campaign of promoting white supremacy.
As reported by The Post Millennial, the backlash has been intense, with some social media users labeling the ads as "Nazi propaganda" and "Nazi gooner bait." The criticism stems from Sweeney's blonde hair and blue eyes, which some have interpreted as symbols of eugenics.
American Eagle, however, describes the campaign as a celebration of Sweeney's "girl next door charm and main character energy," emphasizing her playful and self-deprecating nature.
The uproar on social media has seen individuals expressing outrage over what they perceive as a "fasc-y coded" message. One TikTok user questioned, "Are we really going to pretend that this isn't fasc-y coded?" while another compared Sweeney's role in the campaign to "the white woman in Handmaid's Tale."
Despite the backlash, the campaign continues to highlight Sweeney's appeal and the brand's commitment to a bold and playful marketing strategy.
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