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