Singer Lizzo took to social media on Thursday to mock Sydney Sweeney’s recent American Eagle ad, joining a growing number of critics targeting the denim campaign for its perceived racial insensitivity, as reported by Page Six.
The Grammy-winning artist posted a satirical meme that imitated the original ad, which featured Sweeney wearing a denim outfit and using the slogan, “My jeans are blue.”
Lizzo’s post featured her in similar denim clothing with the caption, “My jeans are black…” The meme also included the phrase, “If the Democrats won the election,” appearing to mock the political uproar surrounding the ad and the progressive backlash directed at Sweeney.
The post was widely shared on Instagram and appeared to take direct aim at the controversy brewing online. However, it didn’t seem to have the feedback she was looking for…
Sweeney, best known for her role on the HBO series Euphoria, appeared in American Eagle’s campaign earlier this week. The campaign played on a pun involving genetics and denim, with Sweeney saying, “I have great jeans.”
The ad received immediate criticism from some who claimed the combination of the phrase and the casting was racially insensitive.
One TikTok user claimed, “This just echoes pseudoscientific language of racial superiority,” and accused the ad of drawing from “pseudoscientific language of racial superiority” that has historically “been weaponized to uphold a racial hierarchy.”
Another user argued that highlighting traits such as blonde hair and blue eyes in the context of a discussion on genes created dangerous messaging.
However, others defended the campaign, suggesting the use of wordplay was simply a marketing tool and not a coded message about race. Sweeney and American Eagle have not released any official statements responding to the backlash.
Sydney’s fans have stood by her.
In an apparent effort to broaden the campaign’s imagery, American Eagle posted photos on July 27 featuring a black model with dark curly hair in similar denim attire. The caption read, “Denim on denim on denim… on denim. AE has great jeans.”
Pop star Doja Cat also commented on the controversy. The “Say So” singer posted a TikTok video mimicking Sweeney’s monologue from the ad while using an exaggerated Southern accent.
