Controversy Over American Eagle Ad Campaign
Actress Sydney Sweeney has drawn an unlikely supporter after an ad campaign for denim sparked outrage. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz weighed in on the backlash over the American Eagle campaign this week, blaming the “crazy left” for the uproar. “Wow. Now the crazy Left has come out against beautiful women,” the Texas Republican wrote on X. “I’m sure that will poll well….”
The Ad Campaign
The viral campaign, titled “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” shows the White Lotus and Euphoria star in various poses modeling the brand’s denim. The negative backlash has focused largely on the ad’s wordplay with “jeans” and “genes,” but it is also drawing debate about race and Western beauty standards.
Backlash and Criticism
Some critics of the ad saw the wordplay as a nod, either unintentional or deliberate, to eugenics, a discredited theory that held humanity could be improved through selective breeding for certain traits. Critics have likened the ad to Nazi propaganda. In one of the campaign’s videos, Sweeney, 27, says, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color.”
“My jeans are blue,” she says as the camera pans across her blue denim and her blue eyes. This statement has been particularly criticized, with many arguing that it perpetuates a narrow and exclusive definition of beauty.
Response from Prominent Republicans
Cruz is not the only prominent Republican to weigh in. White House spokesman Steven Cheung called the backlash “cancel culture run amok,“ and conservative TV personality Megyn Kelly blasted “lunatics on the left.” “She’s advertising jeans, and yet the lunatics on the Left think she’s advertising white supremacy,” Kelly said.
American Eagle’s Statement
In a statement, American Eagle called the campaign “a return to essential denim dressing” and said it is meant to “push boundaries and capture attention.” The company has not directly addressed the criticism, instead choosing to focus on the campaign’s message of self-expression and individuality.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the American Eagle ad campaign has sparked a wider debate about the role of advertising in shaping cultural attitudes and the responsibility of companies to consider the potential impact of their messaging. As the conversation continues, it remains to be seen how American Eagle and other companies will respond to criticism and adapt their marketing strategies to better reflect the diversity and complexity of their target audiences.
FAQs
Q: What is the American Eagle ad campaign that has sparked controversy?
A: The campaign, titled “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” features the actress modeling the brand’s denim and has been criticized for its wordplay with “jeans” and “genes,” as well as its perceived promotion of narrow beauty standards.
Q: Who has responded to the backlash against the ad campaign?
A: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, White House spokesman Steven Cheung, and conservative TV personality Megyn Kelly have all weighed in, with Cruz blaming the “crazy left” for the uproar and Kelly calling critics “lunatics on the left.”
Q: How has American Eagle responded to the criticism?
A: The company has released a statement calling the campaign “a return to essential denim dressing” and saying it is meant to “push boundaries and capture attention,” but has not directly addressed the criticism.
Q: What are the implications of this controversy for the advertising industry?
A: The controversy highlights the importance of considering the potential impact of advertising messaging on diverse audiences and the need for companies to be mindful of the cultural attitudes and values they promote.
