Jeans or Genes?
American Eagle recently released and inherently rolled back on their collaboration advertisement with Sydney Sweeney. In the ad, the actor is displayed wearing various pairs of American Eagle jeans and ends with the slogan “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans”. The advertisement was directly influenced by Brooke Shields’ 1980 Calvin Klein ad , in which the then 15 year old was shown putting on a pair of jeans while making the connection between “jeans” and “genes” with a dialogue about the characteristics of generations.
With this in mind, the American Eagle advertisement received much backlash for subjectively hinting that Sydney Sweeney has better genetics than others perhaps due to characteristics such as her “hair color… and even eye color.” Not only did they highlight her attractive characteristics, but in the advertisements the camera seems to pan out to other, highly sexualized body parts, emphasizing that her genetics are better than others because of her proportions.
In Comparison
These advertisements were not taken lightly by audiences especially in comparison to other highly regarded jean advertisements. Such advertisements include brands like GAP who have collaborated with notable artists like KATSEYE and Troye Sivan. Another reputable brand being Levi’s who has featured Beyonce advertising their jeans. In these examples of jean ads, directors and choreographers choose to highlight their collaborator’s talents and showcase their creativity with an original jingle and dance rather than perpetuate toxic beauty standards.
This negative stereotype of the ideal woman being pushed in the big 2025 seems to be regressing back to the “trad” culture of the 1950’s. This “trad” trend of reversing women’s empowerment efforts seems to be displayed more frequently by popular women influencers on tiktok such as Ballerina Farm and Nara Smith. These are two examples of women who, despite having lots of money, choose to live life as if they had minimal rights.
Controversial Politics
Whether or not the American Eagle advertisement was a Nazi dog whistle is hard to say, but recently the actor did an Interview with GQ magazine in which she denies to state any differing opinion to the controversial advertisement. The interviewer gave her various opportunities to speak out against the public’s backlash and defend herself and yet she chose to say the least impactful answer possible.
Her silence in the face of far-right accusations seems to imply complicity with the advertisement’s message and, by association, validates the assumptions that made the public angry. This refusal to engage meaningfully is not just a personal choice—it reflects a broader pattern in celebrity culture where neutrality is often weaponized as tacit approval. In an era when public figures are expected to use their platforms responsibly, Sweeney’s avoidance of accountability underscores how silence can perpetuate harmful narratives. Moreover, her unwillingness to distance herself from the controversy places her at odds with an industry increasingly defined by inclusivity and progressive values, raising questions about whether her brand can withstand the cultural and political scrutiny that now shapes Hollywood careers.
Snagged the Role
Recently, Sweeney starred in the biopic Christy about Christy Martin. Christy Martin is a trailblazer for women, bringing women’s boxing into the mainstream. Christy was also a lesbian advocate and is a survivor of domestic abuse as her ex-husband/ trainer attempted to kill her after she asked for a divorce following her coming out.
The role of Christy in her biopic was originally going to go to Ruby Rose, a popular Australian lesbian actress. Supposedly, Sweeney later joined the cast as a producer where she was promptly chosen for the leading role. In opening weekend for the movie, the movie grossed $1.3 Million across 2,011 theaters, averaging $649 per theater – one of the worst wide-release movies ever. Sweeney’s PR statement amidst the negative reviews stated that this movie was more than the revenue, it was about art and doing it for the people, which made the movie more meaningful to her despite any and all criticism she receives.
Following this post, Ruby Rose made her own statement that Sweeney was a “cretin” for “parading around pretending to be us.” Critics of Ruby Rose point out that she was cast aside for the role, yet I believe she has a right to be angry about a straight, assumingly MAGA woman pretending to be a notable figure of LGBTQ history. Sweeney’s supposed political beliefs would not be so supportive of Christy and her story, realistically speaking.
Decreasing Support
In addition to this recent movie flop, Sweeney has had two other box office flops this year, following ‘Eden’ and ‘Americana’. It seems as though her rise to fame, Euphoria, may be her main moneymaker for now as her strand of bad luck continues. With the new season of Euphoria releasing soon, Zendaya has been reported to refuse doing Euphoria press with Sweeney. Although these reports about Zendaya and Sweeney are merely alleged, I think it is safe to assume that with Sweeney’s lack of support dying down, Zendaya—an uncontroversial queen—no longer wants to associate herself with people who oppose her progressive political leanings.
This divide not only highlights the fragile alliances within Hollywood but also underscores how political identity increasingly shapes professional relationships. For Sweeney, the optics of repeated flops combined with publicized tensions risk cementing her image as a regressive figure in an industry that prizes inclusivity and forward-thinking representation. Meanwhile, Zendaya’s refusal to share the spotlight reinforces her own brand as a principled star, one who carefully curates her associations to maintain credibility with fans and critics alike. Together, these dynamics reveal how celebrity careers are no longer defined solely by box office numbers, but by the cultural narratives and political values they embody.
Tenderness or Tension?
Sweeney’s controversies go further than her career and political stances. She has found herself in quite the romantic conundrum. Many romcom fans remember the 2023 film Anyone but You, starring Sweeney and Glen Powell. The movie gained traction after behind the scenes drama stirred about a supposed affair between the costars. The allegations arose when Sweeney broke off her engagement with ex fiance, Jonathan Davino, confirming their break up in March of this year. In the following months, several sources report Sweeney’s engagement is not totally off, despite her instagram posts implying otherwise, creating a rocky assumption about her relationship. Powell on the other hand, had an emotionally charged breakup amongst the filming of the movie with girlfriend, Gigi Paris.
These events caused much public speculation, but inevitably went nowhere, causing Powell to keep his love life a secret from now on. Fast forward to September of this year and Sweeny has a new male companion, Scooter Braun, whom she has been spotted strolling in New York City. She has since claimed that “I’m single… [but] I don’t think I’m looking for a man right now.” After backlash about the Powell drama earlier this year, it’s a safe move for now to keep her love life quiet as well.
Any new companions she supposedly has don’t seem to affect her relationship with ex, Jonathan Davino as they were spotted in a tense, late night argument inside a car where she was heard screaming “leave me alone!” The moment, raw and unfiltered, underscored the unresolved tension behind Sweeney’s public persona where romance, reputation, and reality continue to collide.
In an industry where image often diminishes integrity, Sydney Sweeney’s trajectory serves as a cautionary tale. Her talent is undeniable, but talent alone cannot shield a public figure from the consequences of ambiguous politics, questionable casting decisions, and performative branding. As audiences grow more discerning and demand authenticity over beauty, Sweeney’s next moves will determine whether she evolves beyond controversy or remains a symbol of Hollywood’s regressive glamor. The spotlight is still hers — but whether it illuminates growth or merely gloss is up to her.