Danica Patrick has entered the conversation regarding the backlash against Sydney Sweeney's recent American Eagle advertisement.
On July 30, the former race car driver took to her Instagram Story, expressing her confusion: “Can anyone tell me what’s wrong with the new AE ads?! Very confused.”
Patrick amplified the discussion by sharing a video from content creator Kaylor Betts, who voiced his outrage over the ad campaign.
“We have to boycott American Eagle,” Betts declared. “If you haven’t heard of this yet, brace yourself. This is a trigger warning. You’re not going to believe it. They had Sydney Sweeney in one of their ads. And if you don’t know Sydney, she’s a white girl.”
Patrick found humor in the situation, labeling the video as “hilarious.”
Sweeney, 27, features prominently in the American Eagle campaign that launched on July 23. One of the videos zooms in on her chest as she discusses her “body’s composition.”
“Hey, eyes up here,” Sweeney says directly into the camera.
This approach drew criticism from some viewers, with one remarking, “It’s embarrassing to see women dumb down and act like this. Truly a hard watch.”
The campaign, which promotes the slogan “Sydney Sweeney Has Good Jeans,” has faced accusations of promoting a narrow standard of beauty by linking Sweeney’s blonde hair and blue eyes to desirable genetics.
“Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color,” Sweeney explains in one segment, before the camera focuses on her eyes. “My jeans are blue.”
Critics have labeled this messaging as “white supremacy propaganda,” with one user stating via TikTok, “There’s no doubt.”
Prior to the controversy, American Eagle had highlighted Sweeney's significant involvement in shaping the campaign's direction.
“During a Zoom call with Sydney, we asked the question, ‘How far do you want to push it?’ Without hesitation, she smirked and said, ‘Let’s push it, I’m game,’” shared Ashley Schapiro, the brand’s vice president of marketing, media, performance and engagement, in a LinkedIn post. “Our response? ‘Challenge Accepted.’”
Schapiro emphasized that Sweeney’s vision influenced every aspect of the campaign.
Before its launch, Sweeney expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with American Eagle. “Their commitment to creating pieces that make you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin is something that resonates with me,” she stated. “It’s rare to find a brand that grows with you, the way American Eagle has for generations. They have literally been there with me through every version of myself.”
