American Eagle's Sydney Sweeney ad campaign, featuring a playful "genes" vs. "jeans" line, sparked intense online debate. Critics accused the ad of subtly promoting eugenics due to Sweeney's blonde hair and blue eyes, while others dismissed the backlash as unwarranted outrage. American Eagle defended the campaign, emphasizing its focus on celebrating individual style. Sweeney, a rising Hollywood star, has remained silent amidst the controversy, which has also impacted some of her other brand partnerships, with Baskin-Robbins disabling comments on her promotional posts.

Prepared by Christopher Adams and reviewed by editorial team.