Sydney Sweeney’s Great Genes Has Stunned the Internet

Can we all just agree that denim is just denim?

Sydney Sweeney’s canny “great jeans/genes” pun has drastically transformed the public into professional socioeconomic analysts, claiming that Sydney has failed the patriarchy. Talk about an overreaction. The ad in question showcased American Eagle’s new clothing line, which was based on the phrase “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” an intended light-hearted statement that failed immensely. People felt it sparked intense internet discussions on male perspective, race, and eugenics.

However, in 1980, Brooke Shields participated in a Calvin Klein ad with the punchline of, “You want to know what gets in the way of me wearing my Calvin’s? Nothing.” Not only did this ad alluded to scandal, sexuality, and nudity but, it became acclaimed, even legendary. So how is this different from Sydney Sweeney’s ad? Since it is 2025 and online hate culture is more popular than ever, the ad has evolved to become a “symbol” of identity and politics rather than a video showing American Eagle’s new line of jeans.

“In the last few years, fierce controversies have often been sparked by commercials, with commentators seemingly viewing ad campaigns as the battleground for a never-ending culture war” (Dani Di Placido, 2025).

Dani Di Placido offers us a different perspective of how in today’s online world, advertisements are always challenged. This leaves a question to whether we would be analysing this ad with political undercurrents and genetic stereotypes if a male celebrity were to execute a similar advertisement. A woman’s participation on a comical denim advertisement suddenly becomes socially charged and supposedly fails the patriarchy but, if a male celebrity that is idolized for their looks would have participated in this ad how would the internet respond? Would users accuse him of failing us as a society? Would they accuse him of being mentally challenged? A male participating in a clothing ad would spark up comments of how good looking he is, and a virtual handshake would be given by society.

“Is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story” (American Eagle, 2025).

American Eagle even points out how the advertisement’s purpose was to showcase their jeans. The company said something that awkwardly but effectively redirected the discussion back to its origins. American Eagle essentially diffused the tense discussion over the patriarchy and cultural conflicts by saying it’s “about the jeans.” By reminding readers that the advertisement is personal rather than political, it aims to humanise it. So really, can’t we all just agree that denim is just denim?

Ashlee Perry (21409400)