Sydney Sweeney Explains Her “Silence” Amid American Eagle Ad Backlash

by

Sydney Sweeney is addressing the backlash to her controversial American Eagle ad. 

Following a public outcry over a denim ad campaign for a clothing brand – which playfully linked “jeans” to genetics – the Euphoria star recently explained why she didn’t initially respond to the criticism. She admitted she wishes she had spoken up sooner.

As many people know, I believe in bringing people together and strongly oppose hate and division,” she shared in a recent interview with People magazine. “I used to avoid responding to media coverage, both good and bad, but I’ve realized that staying silent hasn’t helped bridge differences – it’s actually made things worse. I’m hoping the new year will bring more attention to the things we have in common, rather than what sets us apart.

Sydney, 28, said she was surprised by the backlash to the advertisement, but emphasized that the criticism doesn’t represent what she believes in personally.

She stated she doesn’t agree with the opinions of certain individuals who became associated with the campaign. She also said that people have falsely attributed motives and labels to her.

Sydney had previously addressed the significant public response to the campaign in November, explaining her reasons for participating in it.

The actress mentioned in an interview with GQ that she’d recently appeared in a jeans advertisement. She was surprised by the public’s reaction, but she explained that she’s a huge fan of jeans and practically lives in them, usually wearing jeans and a T-shirt daily.

Although the advertisement sparked a lot of debate and strong reactions from well-known people, Sydney said it didn’t bother her. She explained that she was confident in the ad’s purpose – to showcase great jeans.

Many stars have found themselves facing controversy in the past as well. For more, keep reading…

Colleen Ballinger, the internet personality behind the quirky Miranda Sings character, faced serious accusations in 2023. Allegations surfaced claiming she engaged in inappropriate relationships and grooming behavior with some of her younger fans.

The controversy began when YouTuber KodeeRants posted a video sharing screenshots of a group text conversation, allegedly between Ballinger and fans, where she asked inappropriate questions. While NBC News couldn’t confirm the screenshots’ authenticity, the claims quickly spread.

Adam McIntyre, who ran a Miranda Sings fan account as a child, then released videos accusing Ballinger of emotional manipulation and grooming. Ballinger didn’t directly address these claims, and remained silent when contacted for comment.

Instead, she responded with a 10-minute ukulele song on YouTube, dismissing the accusations as harmful gossip and portraying herself as a victim of online harassment. Following the controversy, the remaining dates of her Miranda Sings tour were canceled, and she has since remained inactive on social media.

Okay, let’s talk about this whole situation with Rachel Hollis. It started when she shared a story about her house cleaner, and things quickly escalated. She recounted a past interaction where someone called her out for being privileged, and she admitted she was, but also defended her right to spend money on help. Then, she doubled down, saying she didn’t want to be relatable, pointing to icons like Harriet Tubman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Marie Curie, and Oprah Winfrey as examples of ‘unrelatable’ figures. Honestly, that didn’t land well. While success is fantastic, comparing herself to those women felt…off. She eventually apologized on Instagram, acknowledging the pain she caused by bringing up accomplished women, especially women of color, and recognizing that she overlooked the struggles of those who don’t have the financial security she does – often due to systemic issues. The biggest takeaway, and what she should have done from the start, is to listen and learn. It’s a good reminder for all of us to be mindful of our privilege and the experiences of others.

In March 2020, Arielle Charnas, founder of the Something Navy brand and popular blogger, announced on Instagram that she had tested positive for COVID-19 and planned to quarantine with her husband, Brandon, and their daughters, Ruby and Esme, in their Manhattan apartment. However, just eight days later, she and her entire household, including their nanny, left the city for the Hamptons. This sparked significant criticism online, as followers pointed out that her actions contradicted the spirit of quarantine and social distancing, especially when she shared photos of herself enjoying outdoor walks.

When her husband cracked that only “hot” people were getting the virus, emotions boiled over.  

She followed up with a detailed apology, explaining that their nanny had also gotten sick, they’d taken precautions like having their building’s doormen clear the lobby and avoid stopping for gas, and their Hamptons house was on a quiet street. However, the controversy continued to affect her business.

Nordstrom, a former retailer of her line, decided not to renew their contract, which had ended in 2019. In response, Charnas, who had a third daughter named Navy in 2021, relaunched her brand by selling directly to customers, saying she wanted more creative control. She’s now back to sharing her favorite items from Shopbop and partnering with A Pea in the Pod.

In an interview on The Glossy Podcast, she admitted, “I should have been more considerate of what was happening in the world, and people were right to expect that from me.”

In 2020, fashion influencer Emily Gellis Lande publicly criticized registered dietitian Tanya Zuckerbrot. Lande shared unverified stories from dieters claiming they experienced serious health problems – including rashes, cramps, potential metal poisoning, and even miscarriage – after spending over $20,000 on Zuckerbrot’s F-Factor Diet. The story gained attention from The New York Times.

Zuckerbrot, represented by lawyer Lanny Davis (who previously worked for President Bill Clinton), denied the allegations and stated that out of over 176,000 purchases of her products, she’d only received 50 health complaints. She provided lab results to address concerns about heavy metals and defended her program on the Today show.

Zuckerbrot dismisses Lande’s criticisms, telling the Times she believes Lande thinks Zuckerbrot’s lifestyle is harmful and causes eating disorders, but points out Lande is “just a fashion blogger.”

Zuckerbrot has filed two lawsuits against Lande, alleging a deliberate effort to damage her brand. Lande denies the accusations, and both lawsuits are currently ongoing.

In 2020, following a global surge in awareness of racial injustice, stylist Jessica Mulroney faced criticism of her own. Lifestyle blogger Sasha Exeter publicly shared how Mulroney reacted negatively after Exeter asked her followers to speak out against racism and support the Black community. Exeter claimed Mulroney took offense and then engaged in harmful behavior, including speaking negatively about her to business contacts and sending a threatening message. While Mulroney initially apologized publicly and announced plans to use her platform to amplify Black voices, she also sent Exeter a private message suggesting she could face legal action. As a result, the television network CTV canceled Mulroney’s show, I Do, Redo. Ben Mulroney, Jessica’s husband, stepped down from his role as co-host of eTalk, expressing his hope that his replacement would be a person of color. Despite the controversy, Jessica Mulroney maintained her friendship with Meghan Markle, stating they are like family.

Jake Paul, known for his viral videos like “I DUCT TAPED My Brothers $400,000 Dollar TRUCK!” and his time on the Disney Channel show Bizaardvark, gained significant popularity on YouTube. In August 2020, the FBI searched his home in Calabasas, California. This stemmed from an incident at a mall in Scottsdale, Arizona, in May, where Paul livestreamed a Black Lives Matter protest. Police stated he stayed inside the mall after they ordered everyone to leave, though Paul claimed on Twitter that he and his group didn’t participate in any looting or vandalism.

The reason for the FBI raid became a major topic of discussion, mirroring the size of his online following. Footage from local news showed firearms being taken from his property. In a video he later deleted, Paul stated the search was solely related to the Arizona incident and denied rumors linking it to other issues. Although no charges were filed, Paul’s lawyer said they would cooperate with the investigation.

After remaining quiet for three years, Ned Fulmer has finally spoken out about the cheating scandal that led to his departure from the popular YouTube comedy group, The Try Guys, which at the time included Keith Habersberger, Zach Kornfeld, and Eugene Lee Yang.

 

I was intentionally presenting myself as someone happily married, often talking about how great my relationship was,” he told People magazine. “Fans seemed to really like that side of me, so I played it up. It was a genuine part of my life, too.

 

He explained that the situation caused such a scandal because of the irony – it felt like a betrayal to viewers. He also said it must have been incredibly upsetting and disappointing for those watching.

Over a year after resolving a public dispute with fellow beauty influencer Tati Westbrook, James Charles found himself facing new controversies. In August 2020, he posted a veiled criticism on Twitter about celebrities launching makeup lines, which many interpreted as a dig at Alicia Keys and her skincare collection. He later apologized, admitting he shouldn’t dictate who can create makeup.

Just two weeks later, Charles sparked another issue when he criticized Lauren Conrad’s new beauty line on Instagram. He showed his 22 million followers empty packaging he received, implying Conrad shouldn’t have a makeup brand.

Conrad quickly and humorously addressed the situation on Instagram, explaining that a mistake was made during the packaging process. She revealed that empty samples had been placed in a bag to test sizing, and accidentally included with the full products before being shipped. She jokingly stated the employee responsible would be fired.

Charles later apologized, saying his videos were intended as a joke and that he and Conrad had privately resolved the issue. However, it seemed clear he understood his actions were problematic.

In May 2020, YouTuber Myka Stauffer began a video by stating it was the most difficult she and her husband, James, had ever made. It wasn’t about parenting tips, but a painful revelation: they had rehomed their four-year-old son, Huxley, who they adopted from China in 2017, due to challenges related to his autism.

The announcement sparked immense outrage from their nearly one million subscribers. Many questioned whether the couple, who also have four other children, had been irresponsible or had exploited Huxley for views and financial gain, abandoning him when his needs became too demanding. The Stauffers lost followers and sponsorships, with brands like Fabletics, Suave, and Danimals ending their partnerships. Even the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office in Ohio investigated Huxley’s welfare.

Although authorities closed their case in late June without filing charges, Myka’s online presence remains inactive. She hasn’t posted on YouTube or Instagram since releasing a statement apologizing for her naiveté during the adoption process and stating they were not under investigation.

A TikTok creator named Kaitlyn Teaches shared a video of a lunch her husband made her. The lunch included a bag of dog food and a note saying “Because you’re my dawg,” along with some leftover Chipotle from two days prior. She’s now responding to the strong negative reaction the video received.

She addressed the weekend’s events in a TikTok video from September 2025, saying people were overly concerned about him calling her a dog.

She explained, speaking slowly, “He didn’t call me ‘dog’ like the animal. He called me ‘dawg’ – D-A-W-G. It’s slang, like calling a friend ‘homie.’ We say it to each other all the time. It’s just a joke, a J-O-K-E, a joke.”

It was a turbulent time for TikTok star Cole Hall. After announcing a cross-country road trip in May 2020, Hall faced criticism for seemingly ignoring stay-at-home recommendations. He defended the trip, stating that many states had already lifted quarantine restrictions and they were avoiding contact with others.

However, the situation worsened when Hall and fellow traveler, Chase Hossler, were arrested in Lee County, Texas, five days later. Hall was charged with marijuana possession, and Hossler with possession of controlled substances. Both were released on bail the next day. Representatives for both declined to comment when contacted by TopMob News.

In a June essay for People magazine, Hall revealed he was beginning a journey toward sobriety, stating he was learning from past mistakes and committed to personal growth.

Not all pranks are harmless fun. While a playful prank might be something like George Clooney and Brad Pitt covering Julia Roberts’ door in shaving cream, what the Stokes Twins did was far from that. In October 2019, the YouTube personalities dressed in black, pretended to be bank robbers, and filmed themselves calling an Uber as their ‘getaway car.’ The Uber driver wasn’t amused and refused to drive, and someone even called the police.

According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, police arrived and pulled the driver out of the car at gunpoint. Once they realized he wasn’t involved, they let him go and warned the Stokes Twins about the dangers of their actions.

Just four hours later, the twins allegedly repeated the prank on the University of California, Irvine campus, leading to their arrest. They faced up to four years in prison for false imprisonment and falsely reporting an emergency. Orange County D.A. Todd Spitzer stated that their actions “could have resulted in someone getting seriously injured or even killed.”

Their lawyer claimed in 2020 that the twins were innocent, but they ultimately pled guilty to lesser charges of misdemeanor false imprisonment and reporting false emergencies. They received 160 hours of community service and a year of probation.

Shane Dawson, once known as the “King of YouTube” with over 34 million followers, faced a major backlash in June 2020 after a controversial tweet led to his departure from the online beauty world. In the tweet, he harshly criticized others as attention-seeking and manipulative, specifically calling out James Charles. The post quickly drew criticism, with many pointing out his own problematic behavior.

Dawson responded with a 20-minute apology video titled “Taking Accountability,” admitting he had made many mistakes in the past, including using blackface, making racist comments, joking about pedophilia, and posting a video that inappropriately sexualized Willow Smith, who was 11 at the time. He stated he wanted to take responsibility for his actions and acknowledged he deserved to be held accountable.

As a result, YouTube suspended the ability to earn money from his three accounts. Dawson returned to creating content in 2021, surprisingly stating that being “cancelled” had ultimately been a positive turning point in his life.

Read More

2025-12-07 01:18