🔥 Sydney Sweeney Just Broke the Internet Again — But It’s NOT About the Swimsuit 👙👢 What She Didn’t Say Is Louder Than Ever…
“You Can Take the Dude Out of the Country…”
Sydney Sweeney Just Set the Internet on Fire — Again. And This Time, It’s Not Just About the Swimsuit, the Cowboy Hat, or the Knees in the Sand. It’s About What She Didn’t Say.
First came the backlash. Then came the silence.
Now, Sydney Sweeney is back — in a one-piece, on a beach, tipping a cowboy hat — and if the internet was already cracking under the pressure of her denim ad, what happens next may just blow the whole thing wide open.
Critics say the “great jeans” tagline was a dog whistle.
Fans say it’s just fashion.
And Sweeney? She says nothing — except:
“You can take the dude out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the dude.”
So what exactly is this campaign trying to say?
And why are so many people convinced it already did?
Sydney Sweeney is used to going viral over her looks, but she had no clue that talking about herself and what she wore would garner so much backlash.
An ad slogan has upset many online to accuse the brand of promoting eugenics.
Sweeney, who rose to fame for her starring roles in HBO’s “Euphoria” and “The White Lotus,” is the star of the clothing retailer’s latest denim-focused fall campaign, with the tagline, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.”
It’s a play on words for Sweeney’s “great genes.”
Sweeney’s new American Eagle ad campaign has been widely criticized for allegedly promoting “Nazi propaganda” by being a “racialized dog whistle” praising blond hair and blue eyes.
Amid the controversy, Sydney Sweeney is now starring in yet another ad, this time for ‘Hey Dude.’
In this ad, Sweeney is rocking a tight one-piece swimsuit and a Cowboy hat.
“You can take the dude out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the dude,” Sweeney says as she walks on a beach and drops down to her knees in front of a stereo.
Sydney Sweeney Responds To Critics
Sydney Sweeney has released a video on social media in response to the backlash she has received in the wake of her new American Eagle Outfitters “Great Jeans” denim campaign, which has been blowing up this past week.
The video is part of a HeyDude Shoes campaign, highlighting her country roots.
The star actress could be seen driving a John Deere Gator, riding a horse in a cowboy hat, and lounging on a beach, with the caption, “POV you’re in HEYDUDE COUNTRY with Syd.”
Due to the backlash, American Eagle Outfitters’ stock surged to a high of $12.20 on Tuesday before closing at $11.54, signaling the campaign still has strong market support.
Neither Sweeney nor American Eagle has publicly addressed the latest backlash.
More…
What started as a fashion campaign has spiraled into a cultural flashpoint, and Sydney Sweeney is—once again—at the center of it. The Euphoria star, already no stranger to internet frenzy, is now being dragged into a political and cultural tug-of-war following controversial remarks by former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines.
In a recent social media post, Gaines suggested that instead of Sydney Sweeney, the next American Eagle campaign should feature either Caitlin Clark—one of the WNBA’s brightest stars—or Sophie Cunningham, a fellow professional basketball player known for her competitive edge. While the comment might sound like harmless marketing banter, it comes amid an already heated online debate over Sweeney’s role in the campaign and its supposed political undertones.
The “Dog Whistle” Debate
The controversy first erupted when American Eagle released promotional images of Sweeney in a denim-and-cowboy-hat ensemble, paired with the tagline: “You can take the dude out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the dude.” For some critics, the phrase was more than just playful copywriting—it was a subtle nod to conservative rural identity, one that could be read as a coded political statement, or what’s often called a “dog whistle.”
Supporters of Sweeney and the campaign dismiss this interpretation as overblown, arguing that the line is nothing more than a cheeky homage to Americana style. But in today’s hyper-politicized climate, where even soda commercials and fast-food ads can ignite partisan debates, the message landed with a polarizing thud.
Riley Gaines Turns Up the Heat
Gaines, known for her outspoken views on fairness in women’s sports, jumped into the conversation, suggesting that American Eagle would have been better served by aligning with female athletes like Clark or Cunningham. While she did not directly attack Sweeney, the implication—that celebrity appeal is less “authentic” than athletic grit—added a new dimension to the controversy.
For some, Gaines’ comment was an endorsement of women’s sports and representation; for others, it was a subtle jab that reinforced the cultural divide between Hollywood celebrity and athletic achievement. Either way, it poured gasoline on a fire that was already burning.
The Silence Speaks Volumes
Notably, Sweeney has remained silent throughout the entire episode. She has neither defended the ad nor addressed the political chatter, a move that has only intensified speculation. In celebrity PR strategy, silence can be a powerful tool—allowing the conversation to unfold without adding fuel. But in the current climate, where public figures are often expected to take a stand, it can also be interpreted as avoidance.
Meanwhile, American Eagle has stood by the campaign, praising Sweeney as a “cultural icon” whose image captures “the essence of modern American style.” Still, the brand has offered no clarification on the intended meaning of the tagline, leaving room for both interpretation and misinterpretation.
Celebrity, Politics, and the Modern Marketplace
The Sweeney incident is the latest example of how celebrity endorsements are no longer just about selling clothes or perfume—they’re about selling identity. Whether brands intend it or not, every image, phrase, and casting choice is filtered through the cultural and political lenses of their audience.
In this case, American Eagle may have simply been chasing nostalgia and country-chic vibes, but the public conversation has turned it into something else entirely: a referendum on who gets to represent “America” in pop culture.
As for Riley Gaines’ suggestion, it’s not entirely far-fetched. Caitlin Clark’s rising star power and Sophie Cunningham’s bold personality could bring their own brand of authenticity to a campaign rooted in athleticism and competitive spirit. But whether American Eagle would risk alienating one demographic to court another remains to be seen.
For now, Sydney Sweeney remains at the center of a whirlwind that’s part fashion, part politics, and all drama. And in the age of the internet, that might be the most American thing of all.