In a revealing and candid interview with GQ, the star of Euphoria opened up about the whirlwind of criticism that followed her recent campaign for American Eagle. The campaign’s tagline — “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans/Genes” — quickly became the centre of social-media firestorms and political jabs. E! Online+3People.com+3Rolling Stone Australia+3
“I don’t really let other people define who I am. I know who I am. I know what I value. I know that I’m a kind person. I know that I love a lot, and I know that I’m just excited to see what happens next.” — Sydney Sweeney
Here’s the full story:
🚨 The Campaign That Lit Up The Internet
In July 2025, American Eagle dropped the campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney in a jeans-ad that leveraged the pun “great jeans / genes”. Immediately some viewers flagged troubling subtext — critics argued the play on “genes” implied genetic superiority, raising echoes of eugenics. The Guardian+2People.com+2 Others defended it as a simple fashion ad gone viral. American Eagle later stated the message was purely about denim: “is and always was about the jeans.” Wikipedia
🎬 Her Response: Calm, Clear, and Unshaken
Sydney admitted she was “surprised” by the backlash: “The reaction definitely was a surprise… I’m literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life.” Rolling Stone Australia+1
She also described the surreal moment when high-level political figures weighed in — one even being Donald Trump. “It was surreal,” she said. The Independent+1
Despite the noise, she emphasized she never lost focus:
- While filming on set for long 16-hour days, she had little time or desire to scroll through phone drama. Rolling Stone Australia+1
- She kept perspective — at the end of the day, “great jeans” was what the ad was for. Rolling Stone Australia+1
- On her identity and public perception, she declared: “I don’t really let other people define who I am.”
👁️ What It Signals
- Personal Integrity: Sweeney’s message signals she intends to chart her own path, regardless of headlines or public opinion.
- Brand vs. Celebrity Tension: The episode reminds us how celebrity-brand campaigns can escalate into social-cultural flashpoints, often beyond the intentions of all involved.
- Media & Culture Wars: The fervour around this campaign demonstrates how ads can become symbolic battlefields in broader culture-war narratives.
- Career Focus: Despite the distraction, Sweeney remains focused on her craft — including upcoming roles such as in Christy. People.com+1
🔍 The Big Takeaway
Sydney Sweeney’s message is simple yet powerful: she knows who she is, she knows her values, and she isn’t letting viral controversies define her. As she put it, “I know I’m a kind person… I know that I love a lot, and I know I’m just excited to see what happens next.”
In a world where celebrity image can be spun every which way, that kind of grounded self-possession stands out.
