Sydney Sweeney's Ad Scandal: Did Her Silence Sink a Movie?

Actress Sydney Sweeney found herself at the center of a major controversy following her appearance in an American Eagle ad for their "Great Jean" line. The campaign drew significant criticism from the public due to what many perceived as undertones of genetic supremacy. Sweeney initially chose not to address the backlash, a decision she has now come to regret.

In a recent interview with People magazine, Sweeney explained that her perspective on handling public criticism has evolved. While she has historically avoided responding to both negative and positive press, she now acknowledges that her silence on this particular issue was a mistake.

In the past my stance has been to never respond to negative or positive press but recently I have come to realize that my silence regarding this issue has only widened the divide, not closed it.

She expressed a desire for a more unified future, adding:

So I hope this new year brings more focus on what connects us instead of what divides us.

The core of the issue was not just the ad itself, but the ambiguity surrounding its message, leaving the public to debate whether the controversial theme was intentional.

Why the "Great Jeans" Ad Sparked Outrage

The controversy ignited from the ad's central tagline: “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.” This phrase was a clear play on the words “jeans” and “genes.” However, the double meaning was not well-received by many viewers. Critics argued that the campaign was promoting white supremacy and unrealistic beauty standards by implying that attractiveness is rooted in genetics.

The accusations escalated quickly, with some labeling the advertisement as “nazi propaganda” and pointing to what they saw as subtle messages of racism. The situation was further complicated when Sweeney's personal political leanings were questioned, with allegations that she was a Republican, which drew President Donald Trump's name into the discussion. Despite clarifications that the ad was simply about denim, the damage to Sweeney's public image was already done.

Connecting Controversy to a Box Office Bomb

The timing of the scandal was particularly unfortunate for Sweeney, as it coincided with the lead-up to her new film, *Christy*. The movie, a biopic about the celebrated American female boxer Christy Martin, was highly anticipated, with much of the buzz centered on Sweeney's transformative lead role. However, the American Eagle controversy, coupled with the rumors about her political affiliations, created a negative cloud around the actress.

This wave of anti-Sweeney sentiment appears to have impacted the film's financial success. *Christy* suffered one of the worst opening weekends on record, and its total worldwide box office earnings have remained disappointingly low at just $1.9 million. The film, directed by David Michod and also starring Ben Foster and Merritt Wever, holds a 6/10 on IMDb and a 66% on Rotten Tomatoes. The question now is whether the movie would have performed better if not for the controversies that plagued its star.