Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 30, 2025 · Entertainment

ESPN Analyst Shaken by 'Racist' Backlash to Sydney Sweeney's Jeans Ad

ESPN analyst David Dennis Jr has lashed out at Sydney Sweeney's controversial advert

Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle Ad Sparks Scandal: Was it a Calculated Move to Stir Up Controversy?

In a move that has left many in the entertainment industry reeling, actress Sydney Sweeney has been caught up in a firestorm of controversy over her latest campaign with American Eagle. The 27-year-old star, known for her roles in Euphoria and Big Little Lies, was hailed as the face of the brand's fall commercial lineup, which features her modeling various denim ensembles with the now-infamous tagline: "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes."

But what seemed like a harmless endorsement at first glance has turned into a major PR nightmare for the actress and the clothing brand. Critics have accused American Eagle of deploying a "racial dog whistle" in their campaign, with some even suggesting that it's a deliberate attempt to stir up controversy.

Sydney Sweeney, 27, is pictured in an ad campaign for American Eagle that was rolled out last week. The commercials have been criticized for how it alludes to Sweeney's 'great genes'

The backlash began when scholars on messaging, eugenics, and fascism weighed in on social media, explaining how the phrase "great genes" has historically been used to celebrate whiteness, thinness, and attractiveness. The experts' comments were followed by a scathing analysis from ESPN analyst David Dennis Jr, who described himself as "mortified" after understanding what was going on.

"I didn't think anything of the Sydney Sweeney ads," Dennis Jr wrote in his post. "But then ACTUAL SCHOLARS ON MESSAGING, EUGENICS AND FASCISM explained what was going on... and yes, I understood and became pretty mortified because hey sometimes IT'S GOOD TO LISTEN TO EXPERTS."

The analysts' sharp critique has sparked a heated debate online, with some defending Sweeney's involvement in the campaign as harmless, while others are outraged by what they see as a deliberate attempt to perpetuate racist stereotypes.

While the campaign's clever wordplay was intended to be playful, it ignited accusations on social media of promoting white supremacy — due to the focus on Sweeney's blue-eyed image

"It's tone-deaf marketing," one critic wrote on social media. "They're basically saying that white people have better genes than other groups."

The controversy reached new heights when Sweeney shared images of herself modeling various denim ensembles, including one where she appears to be buttoning up her jeans while musing about the importance of genetics in determining traits like eye color.

But is this really just a innocent marketing campaign gone wrong? Or was it a calculated move by Sweeney and American Eagle to stir up controversy?

American Eagle Chief Marketing Officer Craig Brommers said the campaign is designed to be flashier than competitors' and features Sweeney as one of the most recognizable young stars of the moment

According to Alexandria Hurley, a Las Vegas-based publicist who has followed Sweeney's career closely, the actress has been flirting with controversy for some time now. "From a PR perspective, what we're seeing from Sydney Sweeney isn't a 'misstep' or 'Pepsi moment'," she explained in an exclusive interview with TheScholarlyNote.com.

"It's a calculated brand evolution," Hurley continued. "The idea that this ad slipped through the cracks underestimates both her and her team."

Hurley pointed out that Sweeney has a history of pushing boundaries on social media, from her SNL Hooters skit to her recent collaboration with Dr. Squatch. Instead of apologizing for the backlash, she leaned further in by "deliberately" incorporating provocative elements into her campaign.

"The racial undertones being called out aren't subtle," Hurley emphasized. "And instead of acknowledging the criticism directly, they quickly pivoted with a visual 'fix', having Sydney paint over the billboard."

But was this gesture enough to quell the controversy? Some experts don't think so.

"It looks performative at best, especially in the absence of any direct acknowledgement of the criticism," Hurley stated. "In fact, it's almost as if they're trying to make a statement that they care about their customers' feelings without actually doing anything meaningful."

The question on everyone's mind now is: what's next for Sydney Sweeney and American Eagle? Will they continue to push boundaries with their marketing campaigns or will they take steps to rectify the situation?

One thing is clear, however: this controversy has left a lasting impact on both Sweeney's reputation and the entertainment industry as a whole.

As the debate rages on, one thing remains certain: in the world of celebrity endorsements, it's no longer just about selling products – it's also about stirring up conversations that leave everyone talking.