American Eagle Reports Sales Surge Amidst Sydney Sweeney 'Good Jeans' Ad Controversy

Sydney Sweeney recently addressed the widespread controversy surrounding her American Eagle "good jeans" advertising campaign, maintaining her stance against apologizing for the ad. The "Euphoria" star, in an interview with GQ, stated the reaction was a "surprise" but insisted the campaign was simply about "great jeans" and did not affect her personally. This follows months of public debate over the campaign's perceived undertones.

The American Eagle ad, launched in July, utilized a pun on "genes" and "jeans," featuring Sweeney discussing inherited traits before proclaiming she "has great jeans." Critics online accused the campaign of promoting eugenics or racial superiority, given Sweeney's blonde hair and blue eyes, sparking a significant cultural backlash across social media platforms.

Sweeney clarified her previous silence on the matter, explaining she was filming "Euphoria" and largely disconnected from the online discourse. She told GQ, "I've always believed that I'm not here to tell people what to think." The actress added, "I knew at the end of the day what that ad was for, and it was great jeans, it didn't affect me one way or the other."

Despite the controversy, American Eagle Outfitters reported a 25 percent jump in its stock price and improved sales during the second quarter. CEO Jay Schottenstein attributed this success, in part, to "the success of recent marketing campaigns with Sydney Sweeney and Travis Kelce," noting the campaign generated approximately 40 billion impressions. The company had previously defended the ad, stating it was "always about the jeans."

The ad also became a focal point in broader cultural discussions, drawing comments from political figures. Former President Donald Trump praised the ad on Truth Social, while Vice President JD Vance criticized those who found offense, framing the backlash as an example of "cancel culture." This political engagement further amplified the campaign's visibility.