Sydney Sweeney’s ‘great jeans’ campaign for American Eagle drew backlash over objectification and racism
Aimee Lou Wood has publicly criticised her White Lotus co-star Sydney Sweeney following renewed debate around the American Eagle campaign accused of carrying racist undertones.
The British actress reacted after photographer Misan Harriman shared footage of Sydney’s recent GQ interview, in which she dismissed criticism of the advert titled “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.”
Posting the clip on Instagram, Misan condemned Sydney’s remarks and urged her to recognise the campaign’s alleged harm. “Presuming that you are not a white supremacist, at least say how horrified you were by how this campaign was amplified and celebrated by unrepentant racists who believe in eugenics,” he wrote, adding that the slogan implied “genetic superiority.”
Aimee quickly responded with a green nauseated-face emoji, a gesture that drew thousands of likes and supportive comments from fans praising her stance.
My God! Aimee Lou Wood commented a vomit emoji in Sydney Sweeney’s interview about the American Eagle controversy:
“I knew, at the end of the day, what the purpose of that ad was, and it was about great jeans. It didn’t affect me at all.” pic.twitter.com/DPXeyNn991
— VHS CUT (@vhscut) November 5, 2025
Sydney, who starred in the first season of The White Lotusdefended the advert during her GQ Men of the Year cover interview, saying: “I did a jean ad. The reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans.”
The campaign, released in July, played on the words “jeans” and “genes,” sparking criticism from commentators who accused the brand of echoing eugenicist language. The controversy deepened when former US President Donald Trump publicly praised the ad after learning of Sydney’s political affiliation.
American Eagle later stated the project “was always about the jeans – her jeans, her story,” but the backlash persisted.
