Latest news with #AE
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
American Eagle 'jeans' campaign that stars Sydney Sweeney under fire
An advertising campaign starring Sydney Sweeney for the clothing brand American Eagle has triggered the latest online firestorm causing an internet meltdown. Some social media users are outraged, saying the wordplay of the tagline "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans," coupled with the actor's blue eyes and blonde hair, has racial undertones. Others are praising the campaign as lacking "woke" politics. "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My genes are blue," Sweeney, wearing denim on denim, says in one video. People across social media have leveled criticism spanning the gamut, with some saying the campaign promotes "white supremacy" and "eugenics" while others have called it "sterile," a sign of "regression" or simply "rage bait." But many others have applauded the campaign, posting comments like "woke is broke!" and "culture shift!" Conservative Republican senator Ted Cruz of Texas posted a photo of Sweeney on X and wrote, "Wow. Now the crazy Left has come out against beautiful women. I'm sure that will poll well." Neither American Eagle nor the Emmy-nominated Sweeney, the 27-year-old actor best known for roles in the series "The White Lotus" and "Euphoria," have publicly responded to the backlash. "Sweeney's girl next door charm and main character energy -- paired with her ability to not take herself too seriously -- is the hallmark of this bold, playful campaign," AE said in a statement last week when the advertisements launched. - 'Values of another time' - The company said its collaboration with Sweeney was meant to "further elevate its position as the #1 jeans brand for Gen Z." As part of the campaign, AE had also said it was launching a limited-run "Sydney Jean" that retails for $79.95 and features a butterfly motif on the back pocket, which the brand said is meant to represent domestic violence awareness. Proceeds from the jeans will go to Crisis Text Line , a nonprofit offering mental health support , AE, a company started in 1977, said. In the wake of the chatter triggered by the campaign, Washington Post fashion critic Rachel Tashjian wrote that whether or not the ad had racial undertones or anything intentional to say beyond selling jeans, it "is part of a wave of imagery of influencers, pop stars and musicians that feels tethered to the values of another time." "For the past five or six years, it seemed like fashion and pop culture were very interested in -- even dedicated to -- body positivity. Now we're being fed a lot of images of thinness, whiteness and unapologetic wealth porn," Tashjian said.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle jeans ad sparks controversy: Here's why
Move over, Kendall Jenner, there's a new tone-deaf ad starlet in town. "Euphoria" star Sydney Sweeney, known for her curvy figure and blonde locks, popped out as the face of American Eagle's newest campaign this week and some viewers are sounding the alarm, calling the ad blitz a dog whistle for eugenics. It wasn't so much the denim itself that offended, as it was the language Sweeney (and no doubt the marketing minds at AE) were using to hawk it. In one of several videos for the campaign, Sweeney, clad in a denim-on-denim fit, dabbles in some word-play, telling cameras: "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color." The internet has a wild obsession with Sydney Sweeney's body. So she got in on the joke. "My jeans are blue," she continued, with jeans doing double duty as the camera panned both across her true blue denim fit and her blue eyes. With the lens lingering intimately on her figure, and the apparent sensual tone throughout the campaign, consumers were quick to point out what they saw as the regressive nature of the material. A blonde bombshell catering to the male gaze, they argued, was a quintessential symbol of a bygone era. "How far back do you plan on going? Do you still wanna vote?" one commenter asked, while another chided: "You accept these jobs that objectify your body. Fight the patriarchy, don't join it." , an American Eagle ad campaign and why it sparked backlash Even more concerning, critics argued, was the use of Sweeney as the archetype of "good genes." A conventionally attractive, white, thin, blonde woman with blue eyes being held up not just as the beauty ideal but as the pinnacle of good breeding bordered on eugenic thinking, they asserted, and contributed to the glorification of whiteness. Defined generally as the use of selective breeding to "improve" the human race through emphasis on desirable traits, the pseudoscience of eugenics has a dark backstory, used in the past as a vehicle for racial violence and sterilization. Lifting Sweeney's genes up as "good," critics said, notches into a painful and dangerous history, and tightens the bind whiteness has on the beauty ideal. USA TODAY has reached out to Sweeney's rep and American Eagle for comment. That the controversy stems from a denim ad, and one from a company with "American" in the name, further complicates the reception. Americana and denim go hand in hand, the stiff fabric harkening back to cowboy culture, workmen's uniforms and other mythologized aspects of the national identity. If denim ad copy is aimed at reflecting America back to itself, some were certainly horrified by their reflection. Pepsi, another quintessential symbol of the American way, fell into a similar trap in 2017, when they employed Jenner to recreate an iconic civil rights photograph by adding an officer a soft drink during a protest. Viewers were quick to lambast the ad, arguing it glazed over the violent history between law enforcement and the Black community in the U.S. and seemed to imply that soda could solve civil unrest. Doja Cat joins internet mockery of Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle jeans ad As debate continues to rage over when a woman's sexuality is her own, how it can be ethically employed, and where the marketing budget comes in, Sweeney's ad did not stick the landing with viewers. Across the internet, parody videos began popping up, poking fun at Sweeney and the content of the campaign. Musician Doja Cat even joined in, mocking the "good genes" monologue that sparked the original controversy with a hyperbolically "country" accent. Sydney Sweeney 'good jeans' ad to support domestic violence awareness Adding yet another layer to the ad campaign's messaging, American Eagle announced that Sweeney's custom denim cut would help to raise money for domestic violence awareness and prevention. "The Sydney Jean," a limited-edition style made in collaboration with the actress, features an embroidered butterfly motif on the back pocket, representing domestic violence awareness, which Sweeney is passionate about, AE's campaign materials say. In support of the cause, 100% of the purchase price from the jeans will be donated to Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit offering free, 24/7, confidential mental health support to anyone in need. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle good jeans ad embroiled in controversy Solve the daily Crossword
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Backlash over Sydney Sweeney's ‘great jeans' ad for American Eagle sparks internet firestorm
NEW YORK, July 30 — An advertising campaign starring Sydney Sweeney for the clothing brand American Eagle has triggered the latest online firestorm causing an internet meltdown. Some social media users are outraged, saying the wordplay of the tagline 'Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,' coupled with the actor's blue eyes and blonde hair, has racial undertones. Others are praising the campaign as lacking 'woke' politics. 'Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My genes are blue,' Sweeney, wearing denim on denim, says in one video. People across social media have leveled criticism spanning the gamut, with some saying the campaign promotes 'white supremacy' and 'eugenics' while others have called it 'sterile,' a sign of 'regression' or simply 'rage bait.' But many others have applauded the campaign, posting comments like 'woke is broke!' and 'culture shift!' Conservative Republican senator Ted Cruz of Texas posted a photo of Sweeney on X and wrote, 'Wow. Now the crazy Left has come out against beautiful women. I'm sure that will poll well.' Neither American Eagle nor the Emmy-nominated Sweeney, the 27-year-old actor best known for roles in the series 'The White Lotus' and 'Euphoria,' have publicly responded to the backlash. 'Sweeney's girl next door charm and main character energy—paired with her ability to not take herself too seriously—is the hallmark of this bold, playful campaign,' AE said in a statement last week when the advertisements launched. Values of another time The company said its collaboration with Sweeney was meant to 'further elevate its position as the #1 jeans brand for Gen Z.' As part of the campaign, AE had also said it was launching a limited-run 'Sydney Jean' that retails for US$79.95 and features a butterfly motif on the back pocket, which the brand said is meant to represent domestic violence awareness. Proceeds from the jeans will go to Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit offering mental health support, AE, a company started in 1977, said. In the wake of the chatter triggered by the campaign, Washington Post fashion critic Rachel Tashjian wrote that whether or not the ad had racial undertones or anything intentional to say beyond selling jeans, it 'is part of a wave of imagery of influencers, pop stars and musicians that feels tethered to the values of another time.' 'For the past five or six years, it seemed like fashion and pop culture were very interested in—even dedicated to—body positivity. Now we're being fed a lot of images of thinness, whiteness and unapologetic wealth porn,' Tashjian said. — AFP
France 24
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- France 24
American Eagle 'jeans' campaign that stars Sydney Sweeney under fire
Some social media users are outraged, saying the wordplay of the tagline "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans," coupled with the actor's blue eyes and blonde hair, has racial undertones. Others are praising the campaign as lacking "woke" politics. "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My genes are blue," Sweeney, wearing denim on denim, says in one video. People across social media have leveled criticism spanning the gamut, with some saying the campaign promotes "white supremacy" and "eugenics" while others have called it "sterile," a sign of "regression" or simply "rage bait." But many others have applauded the campaign, posting comments like "woke is broke!" and "culture shift!" Conservative Republican senator Ted Cruz of Texas posted a photo of Sweeney on X and wrote, "Wow. Now the crazy Left has come out against beautiful women. I'm sure that will poll well." Neither American Eagle nor the Emmy-nominated Sweeney, the 27-year-old actor best known for roles in the series "The White Lotus" and "Euphoria," have publicly responded to the backlash. "Sweeney's girl next door charm and main character energy -- paired with her ability to not take herself too seriously -- is the hallmark of this bold, playful campaign," AE said in a statement last week when the advertisements launched. 'Values of another time' The company said its collaboration with Sweeney was meant to "further elevate its position as the #1 jeans brand for Gen Z." As part of the campaign, AE had also said it was launching a limited-run "Sydney Jean" that retails for $79.95 and features a butterfly motif on the back pocket, which the brand said is meant to represent domestic violence awareness. Proceeds from the jeans will go to Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit offering mental health support, AE, a company started in 1977, said. In the wake of the chatter triggered by the campaign, Washington Post fashion critic Rachel Tashjian wrote that whether or not the ad had racial undertones or anything intentional to say beyond selling jeans, it "is part of a wave of imagery of influencers, pop stars and musicians that feels tethered to the values of another time." "For the past five or six years, it seemed like fashion and pop culture were very interested in -- even dedicated to -- body positivity. Now we're being fed a lot of images of thinness, whiteness and unapologetic wealth porn," Tashjian said.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
American Eagle 'jeans' campaign that stars Sydney Sweeney under fire
An advertising campaign starring Sydney Sweeney for the clothing brand American Eagle has triggered the latest online firestorm causing an internet meltdown. Some social media users are outraged, saying the wordplay of the tagline "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans," coupled with the actor's blue eyes and blonde hair, has racial undertones. Others are praising the campaign as lacking "woke" politics. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Cybersecurity Product Management Artificial Intelligence Management Data Analytics Design Thinking CXO Public Policy others Data Science healthcare Finance Healthcare Degree Project Management PGDM MCA Digital Marketing Operations Management Technology Others MBA Data Science Leadership Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months MIT xPRO CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity Starts on undefined Get Details "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My genes are blue," Sweeney, wearing denim on denim, says in one video. People across social media have leveled criticism spanning the gamut, with some saying the campaign promotes "white supremacy" and "eugenics" while others have called it "sterile," a sign of "regression" or simply "rage bait." But many others have applauded the campaign, posting comments like "woke is broke!" and "culture shift!" Live Events Conservative Republican senator Ted Cruz of Texas posted a photo of Sweeney on X and wrote, "Wow. Now the crazy Left has come out against beautiful women. I'm sure that will poll well." Neither American Eagle nor the Emmy-nominated Sweeney, the 27-year-old actor best known for roles in the series "The White Lotus" and "Euphoria," have publicly responded to the backlash. "Sweeney's girl next door charm and main character energy -- paired with her ability to not take herself too seriously -- is the hallmark of this bold, playful campaign," AE said in a statement last week when the advertisements launched. - 'Values of another time' - The company said its collaboration with Sweeney was meant to "further elevate its position as the #1 jeans brand for Gen Z." As part of the campaign, AE had also said it was launching a limited-run "Sydney Jean" that retails for $79.95 and features a butterfly motif on the back pocket, which the brand said is meant to represent domestic violence awareness. Proceeds from the jeans will go to Crisis Text Line , a nonprofit offering mental health support , AE, a company started in 1977, said. In the wake of the chatter triggered by the campaign, Washington Post fashion critic Rachel Tashjian wrote that whether or not the ad had racial undertones or anything intentional to say beyond selling jeans, it "is part of a wave of imagery of influencers, pop stars and musicians that feels tethered to the values of another time." "For the past five or six years, it seemed like fashion and pop culture were very interested in -- even dedicated to -- body positivity. Now we're being fed a lot of images of thinness, whiteness and unapologetic wealth porn," Tashjian said.
