- Sydney Sweeney's new American Eagle denim campaign has drawn criticism for its tagline, 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes/Jeans', which some found problematic due to its association with eugenics and the ad's perceived lack of diversity.
- Social media users expressed concern that the campaign, featuring a blonde, white woman, inadvertently promoted ideas of 'good genes' and white supremacy.
- A significant, yet largely overlooked, element of the campaign is that all proceeds from 'The Sydney Jean' are donated to Crisis Text Line, a non-profit that offers confidential mental health support to anyone 24/7.
- Many observers noted that the charitable purpose of the campaign was not clearly communicated in the advertisements, leading to public misunderstanding.
- American Eagle invested heavily in this campaign, aiming to boost sales ahead of the back-to-school season amidst economic pressures and recent operating losses.
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Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign sparks intense criticism