Latest news with #BrookeShields
USA Today
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Sydney Sweeney critics compare jeans campaign to Brooke Shields' Calvin Klein ad
Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle campaign is not only sparking controversy. It's giving fans a case of pop culture déjà vu. The "Euphoria" star's collaboration with the clothing brand has been drawing criticism for its double entendre-laden tagline, "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans." In one of the campaign videos, a reclining Sweeney buttons up her jeans as the camera pans up her body and she speaks in a matter-of-fact tone, saying "genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue." Some critics have argued that an allusion to "great genes" in an ad featuring a blond-haired, blue-eyed woman felt like a reference to eugenics, the discredited belief that the human population can be improved through selective breeding. Aside from its questionable marketing, the jeans campaign is also earning scrutiny for its alleged similarities to Brooke Shields' 1980 Calvin Klein ad, which drew controversy for its perceived sexual tone. Sydney Sweeney controversy: Why actress's jeans ad is ruffling feathers Why was Brooke Shields' Calvin Klein ad controversial? At the time of Shields' ad, the campaign sparked controversy by having the then-15-year-old model recite the ambiguous brand tagline: "You want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing." Shields told Vogue in October 2021 that she thought the backlash, which centered on the alleged sexualization of an underage Shields, was "ridiculous." "I was naive, I didn't think anything of it. I didn't think it had to do with underwear, I didn't think it was sexual in nature. I would say it about my sister, 'Nobody can come between me and my sister,' " she explained. The actress also recalled being shocked that she was being "berated" by the public, who assumed she knew the intention behind the commercials. "I think the assumption is that I was much more savvy than I ever really was." Brooke Shields auctions Calvin Klein jeans from controversial ad Sydney Sweeney ad divides internet with Brooke Shields comparison Some users on social media compared the style of Sweeney's American Eagle campaign to the sexual controversy of Shields' Calvin Klein ad. "That Sydney Sweeney ad 😬 and finding out it's referencing an ad that sexualized 15-year-old Brooke Shields😬😬," @naledimashishi wrote on X. "Are they legitimately referencing that super inappropriate sexual commercial of Brooke Shields, who was like 15 years old at the time?" wrote @nanauzumakiii, also citing the campaign's partnership with nonprofit Crisis Text Line. "They're referencing a commercial that took advantage of a minor to raise money for domestic violence victims?" "Very uncomfortable. Clearly referencing the Brooke Shields CK ad. She was 15 in that," @lazysusansontag commented. "This doesn't feel sensual or sexy, but rather it's a voyeur of the idea of sex. This is not even artistic or original. It's just. Bad." Meanwhile, other commenters downplayed the fashion controversy, with some chalking up the backlash to political differences. "In 1980, our world was shattered by this Calvin Klein jeans commercial starring Brooke Shields," @JebraFaushay wrote on X. "Just kidding, no one batted an eye or cried about eugenics like they are now." "Whatever you do, do not — and I repeat, do not — share Brooke Shields' Calvin Klein Jeans ad from 1980. It might just send liberals over the edge," @ImMeme0 wrote. "Where did American Eagle get the idea for Sydney Sweeney's commercial? They copied it," @Nance726 commented. "This is Calvin Klein and Brooke Shields in the '80s … and nobody freaked out." Contributing: Nicole Fallert and Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY
Telegraph
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Sydney Sweeney's jeans advert criticised for ‘sexualising' domestic abuse awareness
Sydney Sweeney has been criticised over a 'sexualised' jeans advert raising awareness about domestic violence. The White Lotus star has faced a backlash for her American Eagle Jeans advert, which pays tribute to her 'great genes' while the camera zooms in on her breasts and bottom. Critics have also suggested it inappropriately pays homage to a controversial advertising campaign by 15-year-old Brooke Shields from the 1980s. However, others have praised it for taking on 'woke advertising'. Earlier this year, Jaguar-Land Rover was criticised following a controversial brand relaunch that drew criticism for being too 'woke'. The marque ditched its iconic big cat logo and opted for a pink hue, in a move that some customers said made them feel alienated. And in 2023, Bud Light was boycotted en masse after employing transgender model Dylan Mulvaney to advertise its beer. The outrage wiped around $20bn (£15.75bn) off the value of parent company, Anheuser-Busch InBev. According to American Eagle, the purchase price of the jeans will be donated to Crisis Text Line, a charity offering confidential mental health services. The trousers also feature a 'butterfly motif on the back pocket of [which] represents domestic violence awareness,' American Eagle's press release stated, according to the Independent. The Sweeney advert begins with the 27-year-old telling viewers: 'I'm not here to tell you to buy American Eagle jeans,' as she leans forward in her chair while the camera lingers on her chest. 'And I definitely won't say they're the most comfortable jeans I've ever worn, or that they make your butt look amazing,' she continues, with the camera zooming in on her bottom as she walks over to a mirror. 'Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,' reads the tagline that flashes up on the screen, before the actress adds: 'See what I did there, right?' Sweeney courted controversy when in May she announced she would sell soap made out of her bathwater because her fans 'wouldn't stop asking for it'. Some suggested her advert paid homage to Brooke Shields' controversial Calvin Klein adverts from the 1980s, which also plays on the genes/jeans pun. It begins with the child star pulling off her glasses and telling viewers: 'The secret of life lies hidden in the genetic code.' The actress, whose mother allowed her to pose nude for Playboy aged 10, then pulls on a pair of jeans while lying on the floor, talking about 'selective mating, in which a single gene type proves superior in transmitting its genes to future generations'. In another of the adverts, she says: 'You want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.' Similarly, in another clip for the same campaign, Ms Sweeney says: 'Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality and even eye colour.' The camera then pans to her eyes, and she says: 'My jeans are blue.' Online critics of the Sweeney advert have even suggested the campaign by the blonde-haired, blue-eyed actress talking about her genes was 'Nazi propaganda'. Robby Soave, a commentator with The Hill, called the claim 'stupid' as he defended the Euphoria star on social media. ' Sydney Sweeney is doing fascist propaganda, and if you like her, you're a fascist too... is quite possibly the stupidest, most-likely-to-backfire liberal overreach social media pile-on in the history of the internet,' he said. Sabrina Carpenter, the singer, last month changed the cover art for her 'Man's Best Friend' album to a 'God approved' version after critics said the original was overly sexualised.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Iconic 80s teen heartthrob who starred in scandalous film alongside Brooke Shields is seen on rare outing
This actor and occasional model was pictured out in Connecticut on a rare outing this week. He is best known for costarring with Brooke Shields in an iconic film from the early 1980s. The movie struck up controversy that has endured for decades due to its copious nudity and the fact that Shields was only 14 when she worked on the production. This star, who is now 64, later played up his image by posing nude in Playgirl just a couple years later. Since then he has remained prolific with a variety of film roles and guest parts on television, including a reunion with Shields nearly two decades after they first worked together. Can you guess who this '80s actor is? He's Blue Lagoon star Christopher Atkins. Atkins, who was born in New York in 1961, tends to fly under the radar, but he was pictured in a rare sighting in Southport, Connecticut, earlier this week. He was seen running errands around town, which included a stop at a gas station to fill up. The '80s heartthrob looked as if he was dressed for a day at the beach with a gray–green tank top and gray floral-patterned Hawaiian-style cargo shorts, along with beige flip flops. He still sported his recognizable blond hair, though it had faded to the point that it was almost a platinum shade now. Atkins and Shields starred in 1980's Blue Lagoon as a pair of children who are shipwrecked on a remote island. After the only adult to survive with them dies, they are left alone to find for themselves. The children grow up and eventually become lovers on the island, which is inhabited by indigenous people that they steer clear of. Shields was only 14 at the time, so a body double performed her nude scenes. But Atkins was 18 and did his own full-frontal nude scenes. Critics savaged Blue Lagoon but it was a hit at the box office Despite his boyish looks, Atkins was 18 at the time filming began, but Shields was only 14. As a result, her numerous nude scenes were filmed by an adult body double, but Atkins performed his own nude scenes. Still, critics and audiences were alike were scandalized by the story — in which Atkins and Shields' characters are cousins — and Shields' young age. Although she isn't pictured in the nude, Shields still performed topless on set, though sometimes with her hair glued to her chest. Critics savaged The Blue Lagoon, but it was a hit at the box office, where it reportedly grossed $58.8 million in North America along against a budget of just $4.5 million. But Blue Lagoon's box office success didn't translate to major roles for Atkins, possibly because of the critical disdain for the film. He followed it up with voice roles in the English-language dubs of Japanese anime adaptations of Swan Lake and Aladdin And The Magic Lamp in 1981 and 1982, respectively. In 1982 he made the risky move to pose nude in Playgirl, which may have made it hard for audiences to separate him from Blue Lagoon's reputation. The same year, he had a lead role in The Pirate Movie, an Australian musical loosely based on Gilbert and Sullivan's classic opera The Pirates Of Penzance. The movie didn't change his fortunes, though, as critics again lambasted the movie, and it barely made back its budget. Atkins got a more high-profile role as a recurring character on Dallas for a year beginning in 1983, but since then he appeared almost exclusively in low-budget films in supporting roles. Atkins married the Australian model Lyn Barron in 1985, and they share two children. Although he continued to act throughout the decade, it was the least productive period of his career, and in 2009 he told People that he struggled with alcoholism while also battling a career recession at the time. He ended up going to rehab during the decade, but he boasted of being sober for more than two decades at the time. He had a brief return to prominence in 1999, when he reunited with Shields on her sitcom Suddenly Susan for an episode. Atkins also had a small role in the 2012 TV movie Blue Lagoon: The Awakening, which was a present-day remake of the earlier film. Although he never gave up his love of acting, Atkins later took up additional trades as a swimming pool builder and a fishing lure designer In 2022, he reunited with Shields for her podcast, in which they discussed the controversial nudity on Blue Lagoon. After joking about Atkins' on-set nudity, Shields remembered thinking, 'Why do I have to look at this? I'd never seen one before. I'm not going to start now' Two years later, Atkins scored another high-profile TV guest spot on an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Although his other film projects have remained small scale, he has stayed impressive busy, and he currently has five projects that are completed or in post-production, according to IMDb. Although he never gave up his love of acting, Atkins later took up additional trades as a swimming pool builder and a fishing lure designer. In 2022, he reunited again with Shields for her podcast Now What?, in which they discussed the controversial nudity on Blue Lagoon. After joking about how often he was nude on set, Shields remembered thinking, 'Why do I have to look at this? I'd never seen one before. I'm not going to start now.' She added that members of the production 'wanted so desperately for us to fall in love with each other,' but that wasn't going to happen, as 'even kissed anybody.' Atkins replied: 'Which was probably great for the film because that's what it was all about. You have to admit the chemistry between us was just amazing.' The actor recently relieved his glory days when he graced the cover of Playgirl's July 2025 issue, 43 years after he first posed for the magazine.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Luckiest Mama' Brooke Shields Makes Meaningful Family Move With Her Daughters
'Luckiest Mama' Brooke Shields Makes Meaningful Family Move With Her Daughters originally appeared on Parade. Brooke Shields just took the cool mom title to a whole new level. The iconic actress shared a glimpse of her deep bond with her daughters Rowan Francis Henchy and Grier Hammond Henchy, whom she shares with her husband, film director Christopher Thomas Henchy. On Instagram, the 60-year-old star uploaded a photo of herself and her daughters, showing off their matching new tattoos. Shields has one tattoo that says 'and to a party,' while another is a drawing of high heels, both of which her daughters now proudly match. Besides the unexpected mother-daughter bonding, she also penned a sweet message to them, expressing her joy and gratitude at sharing such a meaningful moment. 'Heard national tattoo day was last week… how lucky am I to have daughters who want to match with me permanently? Truly the luckiest mama,' she wrote. The post immediately caught the attention of her followers and fans, many of whom praised the sweet gesture. 'Your matching tattoos are so cute! You have gorgeous girls, Brooke,' one wrote. 'Love your tattoos,' another added. Another fan chimed in, noting 'nothing seems cooler' than a well-placed tattoo!' 'D*** girl, you did motherhood right. And after all you had to deal with… Bravo,' a follower said. A fifth social media user echoed the same sentiment and remarked, 'These are so sweet!' Meanwhile, a fan mentioned, 'That's pure Love.' The mother of two shares a close bond with her daughters. The Blue Lagoon star once revealed they're not shy about giving her honest fashion feedback. "They don't like me in Upper East Side lady clothes,' she told People in 2023, adding, 'They like me much edgier.''Luckiest Mama' Brooke Shields Makes Meaningful Family Move With Her Daughters first appeared on Parade on Jul 21, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brooke Shields' DIY Attempt at Hailey Bieber's Phone Case Leaves Fans in Stitches
Brooke Shields' DIY Attempt at Hailey Bieber's Phone Case Leaves Fans in Stitches originally appeared on Parade. Brooke Shields knew how to entertain her followers as she brought some fun while promoting her haircare brand. Beyond her notable characters and her long list of achievements, the iconic actress showcased her humorous side by featuring a funny take on Hailey Bieber's signature phone case. On Instagram, the 60-year-old posted a video of her looking stunning as ever with her voluminous hair and minimal makeup. But what caught her followers' attention the most was the bright red phone case, complete with a hair product from her brand, Commence, clipped to the back, a playful nod to the model's viral Rhode phone case. And just to take the joke a step further, Shields added Justin Bieber's song Go Baby, featuring the lyric: 'That's my baby, she's iconic, iPhone, keys, lip gloss on it.' The comments section was full of fans losing it over the hilarious moment. 'Hahaha, well played, Brooke!' a follower noted. 'This was hilarious,' a fan said. 'I'm cryinggggggg,' another chimed in, expressing just how hilarious the commenter found the moment. 'Anything can be iconic when it's Brooke Shields,' a fourth commenter wrote. With all the laughing and heart emojis, others couldn't help but notice The Blue Lagoon star jumping on the Bieber bandwagon. 'THEEEEE Brooke mf Shields joining in on Bieber feverrr,' a fan remarked. The Mother of the Bride star launched her brand Commence in 2024. While fellow celebrities focused on makeup and skincare lines, Shields introduced a haircare brand designed for women over 40. Just recently, she celebrated the brand's first anniversary with a collaboration with Clare V, owned by her close friend and fashion designer Clare Shields' DIY Attempt at Hailey Bieber's Phone Case Leaves Fans in Stitches first appeared on Parade on Jul 24, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
