Stephen Colbert weighs in on Sydney Sweeney's controversial American Eagle Ad
The ad, which features the Euphoria actress posing in denim with a voiceover referencing her 'genes,' uses a wordplay comparing 'genes' and 'jeans.' While some viewers saw it as a lighthearted marketing ploy, critics online accused the brand of promoting racist, pro-eugenics messaging due to its focus on a white, blonde, blue-eyed model.
Colbert aired the ad before mocking the outrage: 'Just like Sydney Sweeney, I also carry the gene for sexy commercial scratchy voice — I get it from my uncle on my mother's side.' He continued, 'Some people are seeing something sinister… suggesting the ad promotes eugenics, white supremacy, and Nazi propaganda. That might be a bit of an overreaction — although Hitler did briefly model for Mein Kampfort Fit Jeans.' He ended with a punchline: 'How do you say 'badonk' in German?'
Not everyone appreciated Colbert's lighthearted take. Some fans pushed back on social media, arguing that the concerns over racial representation in advertising are valid. Comments ranged from accusations of tone-deafness to critiques of the brand's decision to cast only a blonde, blue-eyed model.
The controversy has drawn comparisons to a 1980s Calvin Klein ad featuring a young Brooke Shields, which faced similar backlash for perceived sexualization and messaging. Even the White House got involved, with spokesman Steven Cheung tweeting that the ad's backlash represents 'cancel culture run amok,' linking it to broader voter discontent from the 2024 election.
The ad continues to spark conversation about media, race, and branding in pop culture.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Express Tribune
American Eagle defends Sydney Sweeney campaign amid eugenics accusations
American Eagle has addressed the controversy surrounding its fall 2025 campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney, following widespread online backlash and confusion over the tagline 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.' The viral campaign sparked debate after a clip showed Sweeney saying, 'Genes are passed down from parents to offspring… My jeans are blue.' The wordplay between 'genes' and 'jeans' ignited accusations online that the ad promoted a subtle racial message or even eugenics. Critics, particularly on TikTok, claimed the combination of Sweeney's blue eyes, blonde hair, and scripted dialogue made the campaign a 'racialized dog whistle.' In response, American Eagle issued a statement on Instagram: '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.' While some condemned the campaign as tone-deaf, others defended Sweeney and the brand, dismissing the outrage as overblown. 'Y'all are mad at Sydney Sweeney because she's white, she's blonde, she's blue-eyed and she looks good,' said one TikTok user, capturing the divide in public sentiment. Sweeney has not commented publicly. She continues to dominate Hollywood with roles in Euphoria, The White Lotus, and the upcoming Christy, while also expanding her business ventures. Recent endorsements include Armani Beauty, Miu Miu, and a reported lingerie brand backed by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez. Baskin-Robbins, one of her brand partners, has since disabled comments on TikTok videos featuring the actress amid the controversy.
Express Tribune
18 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Daily Show roasts Republican outrage over Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle ad controversy
The Daily Show waded into the heated controversy surrounding Sydney Sweeney's recent American Eagle campaign, using satire to highlight the political uproar over the ad's slogan, which critics say echoes language from the eugenics era. Host Desi Lydic opened Thursday's episode by mocking the escalating backlash — not just toward the ad, but toward those criticizing it. The ad, which features Sweeney in denim beneath a tagline deemed by some as racially loaded, was met with condemnation from online commentators and civil rights advocates. In response, conservative voices, including White House communications director Steven Cheung, labeled the criticism 'cancel culture run amok.' Lydic humorously dismantled these defenses, pointing to the overuse of words like 'sensual' by pundits and highlighting Megyn Kelly's contradictory stance — defending Sweeney after previously mocking her. 'This is such bullshit. Blonde women have had constant representation, okay?' Lydic said. 'It's not that they want to see more white women, it's that they want to see none of anyone else.' The original ad's phrase — criticized for its nostalgic tone and undertones — stirred concern over its resemblance to exclusionary rhetoric used in historical population control narratives. While Sweeney has remained silent, The Daily Show used the controversy to highlight how representation in media continues to spark deeply polarized reactions. Beyond the jokes, Lydic's commentary echoed broader concerns about selective outrage and racial representation in advertising. The segment ended with a reminder that cultural discourse, especially when it comes to race and gender, remains a lightning rod in American politics — and a frequent target for satirical commentary. As The Daily Show demonstrated, pop culture controversies continue to serve as mirrors reflecting deeper societal divides — and prime material for late-night reflection.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Lizzo trolls Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle ad amid viral backlash
Singer Lizzo has joined the online discussion surrounding American Eagle's controversial Sydney Sweeney denim campaign, posting a satirical image that riffs on the ad's wordplay. The campaign features the tagline 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans', with Sweeney saying, 'My jeans are blue,' as a playful nod to genetics-themed language in voiceovers. Critics had interpreted the pun on 'genes' and 'jeans' as tone-deaf or exclusionary. No official comment has been released by American Eagle or Sweeney. Lizzo's Instagram post includes a photoshopped image of herself in a denim look reminiscent of the campaign, captioned: 'My genes are black…', a clear parody contrasting with the original ad's phrasing. -Instagram The joke was in response to criticisms labeling the commercial as racially insensitive. While Lizzo is among several public figures engaging with the controversy, including Doja Cat and conservative commentators, neither Sweeney nor American Eagle has issued any public statement refuting or acknowledging their reactions.
