A wave of strong backlash has erupted among fans and consumers in the United States after fashion brand American Eagle launched an advertising campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney. The ad was quickly criticized for allegedly disrespecting Black culture, sparking controversy across social media.
Although WNBA star Angel Reese has not directly called for a boycott, representatives from her fan community have confirmed they will initiate a boycott campaign against the brand. A social media post titled “THE FALLOUT IS JUST BEGINNING” drew widespread attention, emphasizing that this is only the beginning of the response from Reese’s fanbase.
Controversial Advertisement
The campaign, launched in July 2025, featured the slogan “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans”, a play on words between “jeans” and “genes.” Many critics argue that using Sweeney’s image—with blonde hair and blue eyes—as the face of the campaign promotes Western beauty standards and may even evoke notions of eugenics. The controversy focuses on the advertisement’s perceived insensitivity to cultural diversity and lack of respect for the Black community.
Fan Community Response
Representatives from Angel Reese’s fan community stated they could not remain silent in the face of this ad. They assert that American Eagle selected an inappropriate model and showed disrespect for Black culture, which is unacceptable. The boycott campaign aims to urge the brand to reconsider its advertising approach and demonstrate respect for diverse cultures.
Response from American Eagle and Sydney Sweeney
In response to the criticism, American Eagle defended the campaign, emphasizing that its goal is to celebrate confidence and personal style, not to offend any cultural group. Meanwhile, actress Sydney Sweeney has not issued an official statement regarding the controversy.
Significance and Impact
Even though Angel Reese did not directly call for a boycott, the incident highlights sensitive issues related to culture and diversity in advertising. It also demonstrates the power of fan communities to influence the image and strategy of major brands, as they can quickly respond and create social pressure.
With the message “The fallout is just beginning,” Angel Reese’s fan community seems to warn that this is only the initial step, and brands that fail to respect cultural diversity may face strong public backlash.