Danica Patrick fuels controversy by backing Sydney Sweeney amid outrage over American Eagle's anti-woke ad
Danica Patrick
is speaking up after
Sydney Sweeney
's new American Eagle ad caused a storm online. On Sunday, July 28, 2025, Patrick posted on Instagram, asking why people were so upset with the campaign. The ad, featuring Sydney Sweeney modeling jeans with the tagline 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans', was released last week and has sparked anger on social media.
While many are calling it a hidden message promoting 'white beauty,' Patrick doesn't see the problem and she's not the only one backing Sweeney.
Danica Patrick reacts to Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle ad
The backlash began after American Eagle launched its fall 2025 campaign on Friday, July 26, starring 27-year-old actress Sydney Sweeney. Smiling and posing in several outfits, she was shown in the ad under the heading
"Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans".
Although many internet users considered the line to be a covert call advocating white beauty norms especially given Sweeney's blond hair and blue eyes, it was obviously a word play.
Danica Patrick, a former NASCAR star who recently backed Donald Trump's 2024 campaign, aired her opinions on Instagram Stories.
'Can anyone tell me what's wrong with the new AE ads?! Very confused,'
she wrote on July 28.
WWE legend Sgt. Slaughter, whose real name is Robert Remus, also showed his support. On July 29, he posted on X (formerly Twitter), 'Attention @sydney_sweeney, YOU GO GIRL & That's An Order!!' Slaughter is a former WWF Heavyweight Champion and appeared on WWE SmackDown just last week during a tribute to Hulk Hogan, who passed away on July 26.
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ESPN's David Dennis Jr and others criticize the ad's hidden message
While some celebrities are defending Sydney Sweeney, others are calling out the ad. On July 30, ESPN analyst David Dennis Jr posted online, saying he didn't notice the problem at first until
'experts on eugenics and fascism'
explained the deeper meaning. He later added sarcastically, 'I'm just happy these AE ads are making it safe for conventionally attractive blue-eyed blonde women to be accepted again.'
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Salon magazine also criticized the ad, saying the phrase 'great genes' has been historically used to praise whiteness and thinness. Publicist Alexandria Hurley told DailyMail.com that she doesn't believe this was a mistake.
'It's a strategy,'
she said.
'Sydney has leaned into controversy before this is not an accident.'
The ad is still up on billboards and stores across the U.S., keeping the debate very much alive.
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