- - Sydney Sweeney says assumptions of American Eagle ad 'just aren’t true'

Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY December 7, 2025 at 1:19 AM

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Sydney Sweeney is speaking out on where she stands regarding her controversial American Eagle jeans commercial, which many called tone-deaf and offensive.

In a People interview published Dec. 5, the Emmy-nominated actress, 28, clarified that she does not align with the negative views many associated with the campaign, adding that she's always been someone who "leads with kindness."

"I was honestly surprised by the reaction," she told the outlet. "I did it because I love the jeans and love the brand. I don’t support the views some people chose to connect to the campaign. Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just aren’t true."

The "Christy" star and clothing brand faced backlash online over a play on the homophones "genes" and "jeans" in the July ad campaign, which proclaimed that Sweeney "has great jeans." In the commercial, Sweeney said: "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color."

Critics of the commercial argued the ad endorsed eugenics, the pseudoscience that promotes the belief that some genetic features are better than others.

dress at Variety's 2025 Power of Women Los Angeles event, where she was an honoree, on Oct. 29, 2025. See photos of the dress.

" style=padding-bottom:56%>Sydney Sweeney made headlines after donning a sheer, silver, floor-length Christian Cowan dress at Variety's 2025 Power of Women Los Angeles event, where she was an honoree, on Oct. 29, 2025. See photos of the dress.

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Sydney Sweeney made headlines after donning a sheer, silver, floor-length Christian Cowan dress at Variety's 2025 Power of Women Los Angeles event, where she was an honoree, on Oct. 29, 2025. See photos of the dress.

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1 / 6See Sydney Sweeney's sheer silver dress at 2025 Variety Power of Women

Sydney Sweeney made headlines after donning a sheer, silver, floor-length Christian Cowan dress at Variety's 2025 Power of Women Los Angeles event, where she was an honoree, on Oct. 29, 2025. See photos of the dress.

Sydney said outrage 'didn't affect me one way or the other.'

Sweeney first addressed the criticism in a GQ interview published Nov. 4, in which she said it "didn't affect me one way or the other."

"I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans. I’m literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life," she said.

Sydney Sweeney attends "The Housemaid" screening in New York City on Dec. 2, 2025.

"When I have an issue that I want to speak about, people will hear," she added. She said she "knew at the end of the day what that ad was for, and it was great jeans."

Sweeney also said she was surprised to see the reaction but noted she distanced herself from much of the chatter amid her hectic filming schedule for "Euphoria." She also said it was "surreal" to see both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance comment on her commercial.

Trump said Sweeney had 'the 'HOTTEST' ad out there'

On Aug. 3, Trump called the ad "fantastic" after a reporter told him that Sweeney was allegedly registered as a Republican in Florida, according to public voting records. USA TODAY was unable to verify whether a person in public voting records named Sydney B. Sweeney is "The White Lotus" actor, whose middle name is Bernice.

"Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the 'HOTTEST' ad out there. It’s for American Eagle, and the jeans are 'flying off the shelves.' Go get ‘em Sydney!" Trump said.

American Eagle Outfitters' stock jump by 22% after Trump's post. On Sept. 4, the clothing retailer credited Sydney's ad as a major driver for a significant increase.

“The fall season is off to a positive start. Fueled by stronger product offerings and the success of recent marketing campaigns with Sydney Sweeney and Travis Kelce, we have seen an uptick in customer awareness, engagement and comparable sales,” American Eagle CEO Jay Schottenstein said the day after the company reported second-quarter earnings.

Contributing: Joey Garrison and Michelle Del Rey, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sydney Sweeney says theories about American Eagle ad 'just aren’t true'

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