The internet is a tough crowd, and nobody knows that better right now than Sydney Sweeney. Fresh off her meteoric rise in hit shows like “Euphoria” and “The White Lotus,” every move the actress makes is dissected under a digital microscope—and her recent campaign with American Eagle was no exception.
While many applauded her effortless cool in the new denim ads, a vocal contingent on social media quickly voiced their strong opinions, sparking a massive conversation (and a fair bit of controversy) about celebrity endorsements. Now, in a candid new interview with GQ, Sweeney is finally opening up about the reaction, sharing her perspective on the online buzz.
Sydney Sweeney Reflects on the Reaction to Her American Eagle Ad
In a recent conversation between GQ and the a-lister, a quote later shared by Variety revealed Sweeney’s grounded reaction to the online frenzy over her American Eagle campaign.
The actress, who often finds her personal and professional life relentlessly scrutinized, admitted that the intense level of commentary was unexpected. She summed up the entire situation with a simple truth: “I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise.”
Source: Maya Dehlin Spach/Getty Images
Sweeney quickly followed up her amusement by defending the authenticity of the partnership, stressing that working with a denim brand was a natural fit for her personal style, not a calculated professional move. She insisted, “But I love jeans. All I wear are jeans,” pushing back against the notion that the endorsement was purely performative or a lucrative but inauthentic choice. She went on to say she wasn’t affected by the controversy, telling GQ, “I knew at the end of the day what that ad was for, and it was great jeans. It didn’t affect me one way or the other.”
The celebrity drove her point home by giving a final, casual glimpse into her life away from the red carpet, reinforcing her down-to-earth aesthetic. She concluded her thought by stating, “I’m literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life.” Behind the global fame and designer outfits, she maintains a simple, accessible style.
Reflecting on the broader scrutiny that comes with fame, Sweeney also shared a grounded perspective: “I’ve always believed that I’m not here to tell people what to think. I know who I am. I know what I value. I know that I’m a kind person… and I don’t really let other people define who I am.”
By highlighting her true daily uniform, Sweeney not only defends the genuine nature of the American Eagle collaboration but also offers a slight shrug to the intense online analysis it received, implying that the internet may be overthinking a star who just happens to wear denim a lot.
