People Call For Boycott Of Sydney Sweeney’s New Film As Star Breaks Silence Following Ad Scandal

Sydney Sweeney Returns Online

Actress Sydney Sweeney has resurfaced on social media after weeks of backlash over her American Eagle campaign. The 27-year-old used her first post back to promote her new crime thriller, Americana.

Film Promotion

Sweeney shared behind-the-scenes photos from the Tony Tost–directed film, introducing fans to her character, Penny Jo Poplin. The movie, releasing August 15, has received mixed early reviews.

Ad Controversy

The uproar stemmed from an American Eagle ad where the tagline “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” was seen as a play on “genes.” Critics argued that, paired with her appearance, it carried undertones of genetic superiority. Others accused the brand of objectifying her, drawing comparisons to Brooke Shields’ controversial Calvin Klein campaign.

Divided Reactions

While some social media users called for a boycott of Americana, others defended Sweeney, praising her resilience and dismissing the criticism as unfair. American Eagle later clarified that the ad was meant only to highlight its denim.

Impact on Brand

The controversy appeared to hurt the retailer, with reports noting a 9% decline in store traffic following the campaign’s launch. Despite the scandal, Sweeney made her red-carpet return at a Los Angeles screening of Americana.

About the Film

Set in South Dakota, the story follows a violent scramble for a stolen Native American artifact. Alongside Sweeney, the cast includes Halsey, Paul Walter Hauser, Simon Rex, Eric Dane, and Zahn McClarnon.

Critical Response

Reviews of Americana have been mixed: some critics dismissed it as sluggish, while others praised its writing, dark humor, and ensemble cast. The film currently holds a 5.4/10 rating on IMDb.