Sydney Sweeney returns in new American Eagle advert months after 'jeans' controversy

After a "tone-deaf" tagline sparked a global firestorm last July, Sydney Sweeney is back with another American Eagle advert.

But this time, she's trading in the controversy for a pair of cut-offs.

In the new advert, Sweeney, 28, is seen modelling a pair of denim shorts with another, less controversial take on word-play.

Watch the video above.

"Introducing Syd for Short" captioned American Eagle under the official campaign video.

For the ad, Sweeney has shortened her first name, her hair and her jeans swapping them for denim cut-off shorts.

"What brand am I wearing?" she playfully asks cameras before posing in a breezy linen shirt, bikini top and baby tee against a breezy, beach studio set.

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"Yeah that one," she smiles.

In a second video, Sweeney reveals she designed the new shorts and jeans in collab with the brand to support mental health non-profit Crisis Text Line.

The campaign comes after the actress and denim brand itself made headlines in July last year for a controversial ad that was branded tone deaf by many due to its "great jeans" tagline.https://www.instagram.com/p/DXJ6iJYGdxe/?img_index=1

Sweeney appeared in an ad for the popular US jeans brand which used the tagline, "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans".

While some saw it as an innocuous play on the words 'jeans' and 'genes', others argued it hinted at genetic superiority.

Sweeney addressed the drama last December in an interview with People, saying she was "honestly surprised by the reaction".

"I did [the ad] because I love the jeans and love the brand," she said. "I don't support the views some people chose to connect to the campaign.

"Anyone who knows me knows that I'm always trying to bring people together," she went on. "I'm against hate and divisiveness."

Fans had mixed reactions to Sweeney's latest American Eagle campaign, with one surprised to see her return.

"This is an insane sequel lmaooo," one viewer commented under the campaign posted on American Eagle's official Instagram page.

"Because the first time went so well for you ?," a second agreed.

"Ugh the pieces are beautiful! She is beautiful! I don't understand all the hate towards her ? this is a great collab," one fan argued in the comments section.

"What a great cause .. welcome back ❤️," said a fourth.

It's the start of a big year for the White Lotus and Housemaid actress.

Most recently, Sweeney walked the red carpet ahead of Euphoria's long-awaited return, at the premiere of the HBO drama's third season.

Her appearance in 2025 thriller film The Housemaid proved a hit with reports of a sequel in the works, The Housemaid's Secret rumoured to be alongside Kirsten Dunst.

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