Lizzo recently jumped into the conversation surrounding a controversial American Eagle ad featuring actress Sydney Sweeney. The rapper shared an AI-generated image of herself dressed in denim on Instagram, captioning it, “My jeans are black.” The post also included the phrase, “If the Democrats won the election,” which added a political twist to her commentary.
Many of Lizzo’s followers did not appreciate her take. The comments section was filled with criticism, with users pointing out that the original ad featuring Sweeney was not offensive and did not exclude other ethnicities. One comment read, “Lizzo this is embarrassing,” while another questioned if companies were now banned from using white models.
The debate stems from American Eagle’s ad campaign, where Sweeney poses with a sports car while promoting the retailer’s denim line. In the ad, she states, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My jeans are blue.” This messaging sparked backlash from some media outlets and influencers who labeled the ads as promoting a divisive narrative.
Despite the criticism, American Eagle stood firm in their support of the ad. They responded to the backlash by stating, “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” is about her story and the confidence everyone can have in wearing their AE jeans. They emphasized that great jeans look good on everyone.
The situation intensified when commenters noted that Lizzo did not credit the original creator of the image she shared, Kevin Flynn, who runs the account “whitepeoplehumor.” In her post, she cropped out his name, which added to the criticism she faced.
This incident highlights the ongoing discussions about representation in advertising and how different audiences perceive it. As brands navigate these sensitive topics, the reactions they receive can vary widely, reflecting a broader societal conversation around race and identity.
