Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle ad campaign, touting "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans," has ignited a firestorm of controversy, drawing comparisons to Brooke Shields' provocative 1980s campaign and sparking debates about race and beauty standards.
Critics have lambasted the ad for its perceived eugenicist undertones, labeling it as "racist" and likening it to "Nazi propaganda," thrusting Sweeney into the center of a heated cultural conversation.
Lizzo quickly chimed in with a satirical song mocking the ad, showcasing the campaign's reach into popular culture and highlighting the ongoing discourse surrounding celebrity influence.
In a surprising twist, Donald Trump praised the ad after discovering Sweeney is a registered Republican, leading to a dramatic surge in American Eagle's stock and further polarizing public opinion.
Amidst the fallout, Sweeney's brother humorously defended her by asserting his own “good genes,” while public figures like Bill Maher and Dr. Phil condemned the backlash, emphasizing the absurdity of the outrage.
This controversy illustrates a complex intersection of celebrity, politics, and marketing, showcasing how a single advertisement can trigger widespread societal debates and reshape public perceptions.