Stars Who Weighed in on Sydney Sweeney’s Controversial American Eagle Ad

Gabby Windey, Doja Cat, President Donald Trump and more stars have shared their mixed reactions to Sydney Sweeney’s controversial American Eagle ad. After Sweeney posed in the July campaign, which played into the double entendre of the word “genes” and “jeans,” the ad sparked controversy among social media users who believed it promoted eugenics and over-sexualized the actress.
In one campaign clip, the cameras zoomed in on Sweeney’s cleavage while she gushed about how good her genes are. “My body’s composition is determined by my genes. Hey, eyes up here,” she told the camera. A narrator’s voice then said, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.” She also recreated Brooke Shields’ (also controversial) 1980s Calvin Klein ad as she laid on the floor and pulled up her denim pants, mimicking her fellow actress. She shared a message about how “genes are passed down from parents to offspring,” a nod to Shields’ line, “Genes are fundamental in determining the characteristics of an individual and passing on these characteristics to succeeding generations.” American Eagle responded to the backlash in a statement on August 1. “‘Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans’ is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story. We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.” As fans on social media continue to debate the ad, some of Hollywood’s biggest A-listers couldn’t help but weigh in. Keep scrolling to see the stars who have shared their thoughts on Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign:

Trump complimented the ad on his media platform, Truth Social, on August 4. “Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the ‘HOTTEST’ ad out there,” he wrote. “It's for American Eagle, and the jeans are ‘flying off the shelves.’ Go get 'em Sydney!” 

The former Bachelorette shared her thoughts on the campaign via TikTok on July 29. “I just watched the Sydney Sweeney ad, well, the one on her Instagram, which is apparently mild compared to everything else,” she said. “We’ve all seen the commentary, and yes, it’s terrifying.” 

Windey continued, “But also in the ad, they do a close-up ass shot, and she’s not filling out the jeans. She doesn’t have that good of jeans.” The Traitors winner added, “These jeans are doing nothing for her ass. G-E-N-E or J-E-A-N, either one. So I beg to differ [on] the whole thing.”

The rapper wasn’t here for the campaign and mocked it on July 29. “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue,” she said while laughing via TikTok. 

Sweeney’s stylist hyped up the actress in American Eagle’s comments section. “🔥🔥🔥,” she wrote on July 23. 

Maye, billionaire Elon Musk’s mother, commented, “🔥🔥❤️🐶,” on a pic of Sweeney posing with her dog in American Eagle jeans. 

The athlete shared her confusion on the controversy via Instagram on July 30. “Can anyone tell me what’s wrong with the new AE ads?! Very confused.”

The senator used the ad to Democrats, who he claimed  viewed the ad as distasteful, via X on July 29. “Wow. Now the crazy Left has come out against beautiful women. I’m sure that will poll well,” he wrote. 

The “Awake & Winning” podcast host commented on American Eagle’s Instagram account that he was in support of the ad. “Made American Eagle Cool Again 🔥,” he wrote on July 23. 

The beauty influencer praised Sweeney’s campaign by commenting “🔥🔥🔥🔥” on American Eagle’s Instagram page on July 23.