Sydney Sweeney Breaks Silence on American Eagle Controversy

Sydney Sweeney is finally breaking her silence on the American Eagle jeans campaign that caused a national uproar earlier this year. In her new GQ magazine cover story, the Euphoria star addressed the controversy and revealed why she chose not to issue any public defense at the time.

“I’ve always believed that I’m not here to tell people what to think,” Sydney Sweeney said. “I know who I am. I know what I value. I know that I’m a kind person. I love a lot, and I’m just excited to see what happens next. I don’t really let other people define who I am.”

Sydney Sweeney Says American Eagle Jeans Controversy 'Didn't Affect Me' but Trump Weighing In Was 'Surreal': 'I Don’t Let Other People Define Who I Am' https://t.co/oycFebacwk

— Variety (@Variety) November 4, 2025

Sydney on the American Eagle Jeans Backlash

The campaign, which featured the tagline “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” played on the pun “great genes.” It quickly drew criticism online, with some accusing the brand of promoting white privilege and unrealistic beauty standards. Social media users even compared it to “Nazi propaganda,” sparking a heated nationwide debate.

Sydney Sweeney blocked out the American Eagle jeans controversy: "I don’t really let other people define who I am" and "I kind of just put my phone away."

As for people who refuse to watch her movies because of the backlash, Sweeney told GQ: “I think that if somebody is closed… pic.twitter.com/BrbIIjscNR

— Variety (@Variety) November 4, 2025

Sweeney, however, remained unbothered. “I did a jean ad. The reaction was a surprise, but I love jeans — I wear them every day. At the end of the day, it was about great jeans. It didn’t affect me one way or the other,” she told GQ.

Trump and JD Vance Weigh In

The controversy reached political heights when Donald Trump’s communications manager, Steven Cheung, called the backlash an example of “cancel culture run amok.” Even Vice President JD Vance mocked liberals for overreacting, joking that Democrats seemed to think “anyone who finds Sydney Sweeney attractive is a Nazi.”

Sydney Sweeney finally speaks out on her American Eagle jeans controversy, saying "it didn’t affect me one way or the other" and calling Trump weighing in "surreal."

“I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans. I’m… pic.twitter.com/7woK95vkFT

— Variety (@Variety) November 4, 2025

When asked about the campaign, Trump himself commented, “She’s a registered Republican? Oh, now I love her ad! If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic.”

Reacting to the political involvement, Sweeney said it felt “surreal” to have Trump and Vance discussing her. “I kind of just put my phone away,” she said. “I was filming Euphoria — working 16-hour days — so I didn’t really see much of it.”

Image source: Ig/mollyddickson

Stock Surge Amid the Chaos

Interestingly, while online outrage escalated, American Eagle’s stock price jumped 38% during the campaign period. Sweeney confirmed she was aware of the company’s rising numbers, adding that reports about falling store visits were false. “It was all made up, but no one could say anything because the company was in its quiet period,” she clarified.

Image source: Ig/mollyddickson

Sweeney’s Focus on Art and Growth

Now promoting her latest film, Christy — a biopic about boxer Christy Martin — Sweeney says she isn’t letting online noise affect her creative journey.

“I think if someone closes off from a powerful story like Christy because of something they read online, I hope they can still be open to art and learning,” she said. “I’m not going to be affected by that.”

Sydney Sweeney’s response proves one thing — she’s confident in who she is, unfazed by political noise, and focused solely on her work and growth as an artist.