Sydney Sweeney Returns After Her Controversial American Eagle Ad

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Recently, Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney returned to the public spotlight after appearing on the red carpet for her latest film, "Americana," in Los Angeles. 

This appearance came just days after a major controversy surrounding her American Eagle denim ad campaign. 

The debate surrounding the ad not only touched on issues of advertising ethics but also spilled over into politics, raising questions about Sweeney's political affiliations.

Amidst this debate, speculation arose about whether Sydney Sweeney was a Republican, further fueling the controversy. 

Despite facing a storm of criticism and speculation, Sydney Sweeney maintained a professional appearance at her film premiere, displaying composure amidst the chaos. 

As reported by The Express Tribune, Sydney Sweeney attended a special screening of "Americana" on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at the Desert 5 Spot in Los Angeles. 

This event marked her first public appearance since the American Eagle advertisement controversy. 

Sweeney dazzled in a custom-designed, pale yellow Danielle Frankel gown, complete with a corset and elegant tulle ballgown skirt.

She completed her look with a matching yellow headband and luxurious jewelry from Effy. 

On the red carpet, Sweeney posed with her co-stars, singer Halsey and actor Simon Rex.

The movie "Americana," a crime thriller directed by Tony Tost, premiered at South by Southwest (SXSW) on March 17, 2023.The film is scheduled for theatrical release on August 15, 2025. 

"Americana" tells the story of a valuable Lakota artifact called a "ghost shirt," which sparks conflict in a South Dakota town.

The controversy surrounding an American Eagle campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney began on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, with the slogan "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans."

The main spark of the controversy was a play on words between "jeans" and "genes." 

In one of the campaign videos, Sweeney says, "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My jeans are blue." 

A narrator then chimes in, "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans."Critics interpreted this play on words as a satire on eugenics, racial superiority, and white supremacy.

This interpretation was furthered by the fact that Sweeney has blonde hair and blue eyes, which some considered problematic representations. 

Some also criticized the campaign for catering to the "male gaze" and being reminiscent of Brooke Shields' controversial 1980s Calvin Klein ad.

In response to the wave of criticism, American Eagle issued a statement on Instagram on August 1, 2025. 

"'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' is and always has been about jeans. Her jeans. Her story. We will continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans confidently, in their own way. Great jeans look good on everyone."

The American Eagle ad controversy quickly escalated into a broader "culture war" in the United States. 

Several conservative figures publicly defended the ad and Sydney Sweeney, viewing it as an attack on certain values. 

This then sparked questions and speculation among netizens: 'Is Sydney Sweeney a Republican?'

However, the actress herself had not officially stated her political affiliation.

Interestingly, amid all the controversy and political speculation, American Eagle's stock price actually increased. 

This demonstrates that controversy, in some cases, can generate publicity that ultimately benefits a company, despite any negative public sentiment.