Sydney Sweeney’s Brother Trent Shows Support for Her Controversial American Eagle Campaign on Instagram

Sydney Sweeney’s Brother Supports Her Contentious American Eagle Campaign

Sydney Sweeney’s brother, Trent, has recently shown his support for her controversial American Eagle campaign. The actress’ brother, who serves in the U.S. Air Force, took to Instagram to reference the ad while celebrating a career milestone.

Trent shared on his Instagram Stories on a Wednesday, Aug. 6, that he had been promoted to staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, accompanied by a snapshot of his certificate. With a touch of humour, he wrote, “It’s them good jeans,” alluding to his sister’s viral American Eagle campaign.

Sydney, 27, partnered with the retailer for its fall campaign titled “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” which was unveiled on Wednesday, July 23. However, the ad quickly ignited a heated online debate surrounding its perceived messaging.

Critics of the campaign argue that it is racially charged and implies eugenics. The videos released across American Eagle’s social media platforms feature the Euphoria star showcasing various denim styles, engaging in activities like working on a car and auditioning, and discussing the new collection directly to the camera.

The campaign’s tagline, “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” has sparked controversy with critics interpreting the word “jeans” as wordplay on “genes,” which has raised concerns of racial implications and eugenics. Eugenics, as defined by the National Institute of Health (NIH), refers to the selective breeding aimed at improving the human race but has been discredited as unfounded science.

One video from the campaign, which has been removed from some social media channels but remains on the brand’s Facebook, particularly incited controversy. The clip shows Sweeney zipping up her jeans while lying down, discussing the hereditary nature of genes and traits. Critics have also accused the campaign of being tailored for the male gaze and drawing inspiration from Brooke Shields’ contentious denim campaign in 1980.

In response to the backlash, American Eagle issued a statement on Aug. 1 stating that the campaign solely focuses on celebrating the jeans and the individual wearing them. The brand emphasised that everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence in their unique way, redirecting the attention from the controversial implications.

President Donald Trump became involved in the discussion on Aug. 3, commenting on Sydney Sweeney’s political alignment and expressing his support for her campaign. Trump, 79, acknowledged Sweeney’s recent affiliation as a registered Republican and voiced his appreciation for her ad, implying that her political stance influenced his view of the controversy.

The unfolding events around Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign reflect the intersecting realms of fashion, politics, and social discourse. The actress and her team continue to navigate the repercussions of the ad while engaging with critics and supporters alike.

As the debate surrounding the campaign continues to evolve, it underscores the complexities of messaging in advertising and the importance of nuanced discussions around representation, identity, and societal values within the fashion industry.