The buzz around Sydney Sweeney’s latest American Eagle ad isn’t just about fashion—it’s stirred up a wave of controversy. Payal Desai, a former teacher turned influencer, went viral after sharing how the ad triggered painful memories of feeling invisible because she didn’t fit society’s narrow beauty standards of blonde hair and blue eyes. In her heartfelt video, Desai recalled being a 13-year-old brown-skinned girl shopping at American Eagle, wishing she could change her name and appearance to match what she thought was seen as beautiful.
Her post struck a chord quickly, but the reactions were mixed. Right-wing commentator Colin Rugg shared Desai’s video on X (formerly Twitter), where it received thousands of likes but also sharp criticism. Rugg and many followers accused Desai of playing the victim, suggesting her self-esteem issues were her own problem rather than society’s beauty ideals. One comment read, “If Sydney Sweeney in jeans makes your self-worth crumble, that’s not about whiteness—it’s about you.”
Comedy host Bill Maher joined in with sarcasm during his show, jokingly framing Sweeney as a Nazi sarcastically before dismissing the outrage. He highlighted how dismissing “good genes” clashes with judging people’s appearances on dating apps, adding humor to the debate.
The controversy spread beyond pundits. Singers Doja Cat and Lizzo appeared to side with Desai’s views—Doja Cat even parodied the ad on social media, drawing both praise and surprise. Lizzo’s similar outfit with a playful caption sparked mixed reactions, some critics telling her to focus on her own legal matters.
American Eagle responded calmly, clarifying their slogan “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” focused on denim quality and individuality, not genetics or race. Interestingly, despite the drama, the campaign boosted the company’s stock by 8%, showing that controversy increased attention.
Sydney Sweeney herself has stayed quiet, sharing only a picture of flowers with a heart emoji, which some interpreted as a subtle nod to the ongoing discussions.
Online, opinions remain split. Some call the ad tone-deaf, arguing praising “good genes” in the context of a white actress fuels problematic beauty ideals. Others dismiss the backlash as exaggerated. Some blame the media for amplifying conflict for clicks, while others see jealousy behind the criticism.
No matter the opinion, the campaign sparked important conversations about race, beauty standards, and representation. While American Eagle holds its stance and Sweeney stays silent, the internet keeps dissecting the issue, turning a simple jeans ad into a complex cultural conversation.
