Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle Ad Called Out as ‘Nazi Propaganda’ on TikTok
A new American Eagle denim campaign starring actress Sydney Sweeney is facing major backlash online, with critics accusing the ad of promoting racist and fascist imagery. The ad features the tagline “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” playing on the word “genes,” while showing the blonde-haired, blue-eyed star referencing inherited traits. TikTok users quickly slammed the campaign as tone-deaf and likened it to “Nazi propaganda,” claiming the messaging echoes ideas of white genetic superiority.
The first ad is a 30-second spot where Sydney Sweeney playfully narrates how American Eagle jeans make her "butt look good," blending confidence and cheeky humor as she poses in denim.
The second, a 15-second ad, highlights how hair and eye color are inherited from parents, ending with the tagline “great genes”—a pun that has sparked criticism for echoing racialized beauty standards.
The controversy has exploded across social media, with viral videos dissecting the ad and calling for accountability. Some users argue that highlighting blue eyes and “great genes” in this context perpetuates harmful beauty standards and racist undertones.
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