Gap's Response to the Sydney Sweeney Drama is 'Iconic,' Fans Say: 'American Eagle Could Never'
The world of denim is a battlefield of brand messaging, and two recent commercials have captured the internet's full attention for very different reasons. While a recent American Eagle ad featuring actress was tangled in controversy, Gap has just launched a commercial that is being celebrated as a vibrant, refreshing, and incredibly successful counter-narrative. Fans have been quick to point out the contrast, declaring that while one ad stumbled, the other danced, quite literally, its way into their hearts.
The controversy began with American Eagle's campaign, which featured Sydney Sweeney with the tagline, 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.' The wordplay was intended to be a compliment, but it quickly backfired. Online critics pounced on the double meaning of "jeans" and "genes," with many interpreting the ad as having "eugenic undertones."
The criticism intensified as people pointed out the brand seemed to place blond hair and blue eyes as the gold standard of beauty, a step backward in an industry that has been making strides toward inclusivity. The backlash was so swift and intense that American Eagle issued a statement defending the campaign.
Inside the Gap Ad That Has Fans Saying 'American Eagle Could Never!!'
In a move that feels like impeccable timing, Gap released its own denim commercial, and it couldn't be more different. The 1:30 video features the rising K-pop group Katseye, a diverse and multi-talented group of women, all dancing with joyous abandon to Kelis's hit song "Milkshake."
The online response has been overwhelmingly positive, with fans directly comparing the two campaigns. "Countering THAT controversy ad with a group of successful diverse girls in denim, GAP took that opportunity real fast," one fan wrote. Viewers claim the ad is a strategic and well-executed move.
The use of Kelis's song, with its iconic lyric, "it's better than yours," has not gone unnoticed. Another fan praised Gap for its subtle jab at the competition, calling it a "snarky reference to American Eagle" that works "insanely well." One fan chimed in, "No weird rhetorics. Dancing comfortably with jeans on. Diversity. No words. American Eagle could never!!'
A Tale of Two Ads: Why Gap's Approach is Winning the Denim War
Beyond the strategic timing, viewers are captivated by the ad's high-quality execution. "This is honestly a superbowl level ad," one commenter declared, highlighting the commercial's polished production and infectious energy. The choreography, the charisma of the Katseye members, and the celebration of diversity are being lauded. "The way Katseye killed this commercial is not even a joke," a fan wrote.
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"You took great diverse women with different aesthetics and used their showmanship to make an amazing choreographed commercial. Whoever's idea it was, deserves a raise." The ad highlights the versatility of Gap's denim, with the Katseye members effortlessly moving in everything from baggy pants to low-rise skirts.
While American Eagle's campaign got attention through controversy, Gap's ad is winning hearts by celebrating authentic representation and delivering a commercial that, as one fan put it, 'no questionable copy, visual creative direction on point, impeccable timing to drop this... oh gapseye ate.'
Gap's Response to the Sydney Sweeney Drama is 'Iconic,' Fans Say: 'American Eagle Could Never' first appeared on Parade on Aug 21, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
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