Sydney Sweeney Ad Represents a Dangerous ‘Shift Toward Whiteness’ [WATCH]

A producer for MSNBC sparked controversy this week after criticizing actress Sydney Sweeney and clothing retailer American Eagle over a new ad campaign featuring the popular actress, as reported by The Western Journal.

In a column published Monday, MSNBC producer Hannah Holland accused the campaign of promoting a “cultural shift toward whiteness,” citing the ad’s styling, tone, and even its use of font as evidence of what she described as a regressive political message.

What a great ad! Sydney Has Great Genes.

Sydney makes many ugly liberals upset with her explanation of jeans. Her current advertisement for American Eagle Outfitters is making their excess fat thing (hanging below their stomachs) explode. pic.twitter.com/13iLiXl7Oc

— Dane (@UltraDane) July 29, 2025

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“In the videos, Sweeney exudes a sort of vintage sexiness that caters to the male gaze,” Holland wrote in the article titled Sydney Sweeney’s ad shows an unbridled cultural shift toward whiteness.

“She embodies the near mythological girl-next-door beautiful but low-maintenance sexy femininity that dominated media in the 1990s and the early 2000s.”

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Holland argued that the ad represents a broader “shift toward whiteness, conservatism and capitalist exploitation,” singling out American Eagle’s decision to feature Sweeney — who is white — as the campaign’s sole face. She also took issue with a marketing pun linking “genes” and “jeans,” calling it “Nazi propaganda.”

The article also claimed that “popular American culture is, indisputably, becoming more puritanical and more conservative,” and warned that “young women are being radicalized through so-called clean skin care and healthy eating.”

sydney sweeney for american eagle’s newest campaign ★ pic.twitter.com/RA1IEkKlQC

— best of sydney sweeney (@sydneyfiles) July 23, 2025

Holland concluded by labeling Sweeney “both a symptom and a participant” in what she called an ideologically driven movement under the guise of mainstream marketing.

The ad campaign, which highlights American Eagle’s denim line, has received significant engagement online and appears to be resonating with consumers. According to financial reports, American Eagle’s stock has risen 21 percent since the campaign’s release.

The Sydney Sweeney American Eagle pic is straight up iconic — I can’t wait for their cash registers to explode! pic.twitter.com/FVyu1Q4390

— Joni Wagner (@JoniWagner) July 29, 2025

Sweeney, known for her roles in television series such as Euphoria and The White Lotus, has not responded publicly to the criticism.

American Eagle has not issued a statement addressing the MSNBC producer’s claims. The ad remains active across platforms. Some social media users have come to her defense:

Here’s Sydney Sweeney. Possibly the most American girl-next-door model of the past decade. The Left are calling her a “Nazi” because….she exists and is white.

Fuck Leftists. Support American Eagle. pic.twitter.com/Nr9kW4jyJr

— Kevin Ryan – Mouth Almighty (@kevinryanmedia) July 28, 2025

As a PROUD black man, I see nothing wrong with Sydney Sweeney and American Eagle parading her “good genes/jeans.”

Celebrating blue eyes and blonde hair isn’t “white supremacy.” Those are conventionally attractive, GOOD GENES. That doesn’t mean they’re the ONLY good genes. pic.twitter.com/FNfcpHuXZg

— Xaviaer DuRousseau (@XAVIAERD) July 28, 2025

The remarks have drawn backlash online, with critics arguing that the MSNBC commentary was politically motivated and detached from public sentiment.

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