On a Thursday, Halsey expressed her frustration on social media following the backlash from fans against her film “Americana,” which stemmed from her co-star Sydney Sweeney’s contentious American Eagle jeans advertisement.
In the crime thriller Americana, a 30-year-old artist known as Halsey (her real name is Ashley Frangipane) and a 27-year-old actress named Sweeney find themselves entangled in a violent conflict over a priceless Native American artifact. Both women are the main characters in this gripping story.
However, the film titled Americana, initially released in cinemas on August 15, unfortunately flopped at the box office, managing to earn just $500,000 despite an estimated production cost of $9 million, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Social media users, upon learning about Sweeney’s appearance in an American Eagle advertisement perceived as promoting eugenics and far-right ideologies, announced their intention to avoid the movie due to these concerns.
As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’d like to share a moment from last Thursday. The extraordinary artist, Halsey, used her Instagram platform to passionately champion Americana and inspire her followers to engage with this cultural phenomenon. Interestingly, during this heartfelt appeal, she seemed to tactfully abstain from directly addressing the defense of her costar, Sydney.
Both Halsey and Sydney’s representatives have been contacted by The Daily Mail, however, no response has been received as of yet.
In a now-removed post, Halsey showcased a version of the Americana poster, highlighting leading actress Sydney, and expressed admiration for the film and its director, Tony Tost.
This movie is worth watching, as it’s brilliantly crafted by the talented TonyTost who has a deep understanding of the genre. The singer-songwriter asserted this because his artistry and vision transcend the fleeting 24-hour celebrity gossip magazines.
“He’s an exceptional artist who created a remarkable movie in collaboration with a dedicated and gifted team. For those who adore films, it’s crucial to understand that the art of filmmaking always takes precedence. In essence, this is cinema,” she emphasized.
In a quickly removed social media update, Halsey posted a picture showing a streak of blood on her lower jaw.
Instead of coming off as if she were defending her film, the artist seemed to be addressing fans who criticized her. However, she made it clear that she was actually advocating on behalf of the many team members who contributed to creating Americana.
She made it clear that she believes the significance of words matters in the current situation. However, she doesn’t find it justifiable for the news to excessively target and criticize a diligent director and his dedicated film crew, especially since the film has no connection or relation to an unrelated advertisement campaign that she finds somewhat trivial.
If you’re unsure about the specific individuals I’m advocating for, I apologize – take a closer look, she finished.
As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’m sharing an insight from a now-deleted post on the platform formerly known as Twitter. Singer Halsey became notably clearer about the individuals she stands in solidarity with, expressing her unwavering support.
She seemed to express that she isn’t frustrated about the movie’s release delay due to its timing, but rather she is annoyed that ordinary individuals connected with the film are facing bullying from the media.
I’ve expressed all that I’m allowed to about my feelings towards the ad. If, as a fan of mine, you perceive my stance as ‘support for eugenics,’ I’m at a loss as to why you continue to support me, honestly speaking.
On Reddit, where Halsey’s posts were preserved, fans were largely supportive of her message.
One fan noted that she was expressing ‘this movie has no connection with that excessively crude language’ in a polite manner, but due to current reading comprehension challenges, her intended meaning might be misinterpreted intentionally.
A fan commented, ‘It’s unfortunate that Halsey is the one who has to speak up about this (she could certainly find more eloquent ways to do so), while Sydney Sweeney gets to remain silent and continue promoting her bathwater product or whatever.’
The user mentioned that she’s delving deeper into specifics and subtleties on Twitter, but it probably won’t be enough to appease those who are frustrated.
‘Genuinely don’t understand how Halsey is at all wrong for this take,’ wrote one stumped fan.
Halsey’s internet anger arises following her costar Sydney, who had been silent on social media since her American Eagle campaign caused worldwide uproar earlier in the month, finally posting on Instagram.
For several weeks, the actress found herself at the center of debates following her appearance in a divisive advertisement that sparked an online political uproar. However, she decided against engaging with or responding to the ensuing controversy.
Rather than responding with a defense or an apology, the actress from Euphoria took to Instagram a few days prior to its theater release to publicize Americana instead.
A while back, we made a small film together with some friends, and now you can meet Penny Jo – here are some backstage snapshots! (caption for a slideshow)
The first photo showed the two-time Emmy nominee gazing ahead from the driver’s seat of a car.
In the other photos, she is seen smiling inside a trailer, striking a pose for a selfie in front of a mirror using an old-school digital camera, donning a curly blonde wig, and playing the guitar in her cozy bedroom.
Another shot captured her costar, Halsey, flashing the rock-and-roll hand sign.
In the previous month, Sweeney found himself at the heart of an intense discussion concerning race, advertising, and responsibility, following his selection as the model for American Eagle’s autumn denim promotional campaign.
The tagline of the ad, ‘Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,’ was met with mixed opinions among consumers, as it cleverly referenced the phrase ‘great genes.’
One popular video clip features Sweeney posing before a sign that originally reads, “Sydney Sweeney has great genes.” However, someone has edited the sign to change “genes” to “jeans.
The video features Sweeney stating, “Genes, inherited from parents, usually define characteristics such as hair color, personality, and even eye color,” followed by a camera shot focused on her blue eyes. She humorously concludes, “And, by the way, my pants are also blue.
The creative use of language in the campaign was meant to be lighthearted and bold, but it sparked criticism on social media for being perceived as promoting racial undertones, eugenics, and white supremacy. This perception arose primarily from the emphasis on genetics and Sweeney’s portrayal with blue eyes.
American Eagle clarified on August 1 that their statement “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” has been and continues to be focused on the jeans themselves, rather than Sydney Sweeney herself.
In their statement, the company emphasized, ‘Her jeans tell her tale; we’ll keep celebrating that everybody wears American Eagle jeans with self-assurance, in their unique style. A perfect pair of jeans flatters everyone.’
Meanwhile, Sweeney has still not publicly commented on the controversy.
In the midst of the recent uproar, as a committed supporter, I find myself echoing the candid remarks of Eric Schiffer, a renowned crisis PR expert, who, in an interview with DailyMail.com, highlighted the potential dangers of my silence.
According to the CEO of Reputation Management Consultants, Sydney’s ‘mute button’ is a ticking time bomb for some people on the political left. Each moment of silence, they argue, pushes her brand further into racial controversy.
He warned that failing to speak out ‘will be seen as a brutal insult to many shoppers on the left.’
I couldn’t help but exclaim, “Sydney’s silent approach is bound to resonate as cold, unyielding elitism to those who feel wronged. Critics, much like vultures over a desolate corpse in the wilderness, will eagerly fill the silence with their harsh judgments.
Even I, a fervent admirer, can’t help but notice that Schiffer’s remarks hint at a potential divergence in perception regarding Sweeney’s silence among conservative circles.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase that statement in a more personal and approachable way:
“From my perspective as a conservative, Sydney’s decision not to bow down denies the crowd their satisfying public-shaming spectacle. It may be perceived by some as a strong assertion of power rather than an act of submission.”
“For us conservatives, staying silent isn’t about being weak; it’s about standing firm against those who try to manipulate or distort narratives for their own benefit.
On the American Eagle website, the marketing campaign continues to showcase Sweeney, highlighting her “homely appeal” and “leading lady vibe.
For numerous onlookers, charisma and dismissing criticism may no longer be enough to disarm a situation that has evolved into a public relations bomb.
As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share my perspective on a topic: In my view, Alexandria Hurley, a notable publicist residing in the vibrant heart of Las Vegas, suggested to DailyMail.com that the intention behind the stirring action was anything but an accidental move.
In terms of public relations, what we’re observing from Sydney Sweeney isn’t an accidental blunder or another ‘Pepsi fiasco.’ Instead, it’s a deliberate progression of her brand strategy. The assumption that this advertisement accidentally went unnoticed undervalues both her and her team, according to her explanation.
After facing criticism, Hurley didn’t back down but instead, she deepened her involvement. This isn’t a mistake. It’s a deliberate move.
Instead of distancing herself after criticisms, Sydney has chosen to embrace them more. This isn’t carelessness. It’s a well-thought plan.
She additionally highlighted that the slogan ‘Great Genes’ was intentionally intended to be provocative, and the racial undertones being addressed are not nuanced.
In a different approach, rather than offering an apology, she and American Eagle swiftly adapted by having her repaint the billboard following the criticisms. However, Hurley noted that this action seems more like a show of performance, particularly as there was no explicit recognition of the criticism.
Regarding whether Sweeney might be affected by the silence, Hurley commented: “Not fundamentally so – as I believe the issue isn’t really silence. It’s intention that matters here. This is an attempt to gain attention, not build a reputation. She’s cultivating a controversial persona that generates headlines – and it seems to be effective. People are discussing her, and companies focused on reach over responsibility might continue to align themselves.
Jonathon Narvey, CEO and Founder of Mind Meld PR Inc., offered a similar perspective.
The speaker speculates that American Eagle might have purposefully created a media stir with their latest fashion ad. While the ad isn’t inherently controversial on its own-the tagline is somewhat amusing and Sydney Sweeney is an appealing model-the internet’s tendency to generate controversy could have been anticipated by the company.
In the current ultra-sensitive media landscape, where every utterance is carefully analyzed for its underlying meaning, straightforwardness may not necessarily be an advantage. (Christina Kroll)
According to Kroll, campaigns such as these necessitate the expertise of experienced professionals instead of interns. This is because grasping intricacies and cultural context is essential.
Grayce McCormick, the creator of Lightfinder Public Relations and a specialist in crisis communication, underscored the risks associated with remaining quiet.
McCormick suggested that a genuine response would make her seem more approachable, demonstrate that she’s paying attention, and set an example of responsibility for her youthful and multicultural viewers.
Toni Ferrara, founder and CEO of Ferrara Media, pushed back on the severity of the criticism.
Not all disputes require an apology via a Notes app. Sydney, as the model for a denim ad, isn’t a politician and her silence doesn’t necessarily exacerbate things. In fact, it can be more strategic to let the brand handle matters when the issue and controversy arise from their advertising campaign.”
In this paraphrase, I aimed to maintain the original meaning while simplifying the language and making it more accessible for a broader audience.
Alexandria Hammond, the principal of BrandNEWS PR Consulting Firm, shared her thoughts regarding Sweeney’s involvement in the current situation.
‘According to Hammond, this predicament is 75% the fault of American Eagle and 25% Sydney Sweeney. To prevent such issues in the future, major companies should ensure a variety of voices in key decision-making roles. In this case, we’re aware of it mainly because of the brand and talent involved. Certainly, Sydney is entitled to challenge the brand’s communication. By participating in this campaign, she essentially endorsed not only the brand but also its message.’
As a committed follower, I find myself echoing Hammond’s sentiments, stating that Sydney should recognize her privilege as a white woman in her response. It’s crucial to understand that she can’t deflect blame from American Eagle’s misstep by claiming innocence because she voluntarily participated. By agreeing to this campaign, she demonstrated that when the price is right, she was ready to overlook the values of her multicultural, youthful fan base. In essence, I believe she made a compromise that undermined her principles and values.
Meanwhile, celebrity publicist Sarah Anne Schmidt offered a balanced view on next steps.
If she didn’t play a significant role in crafting the messages herself, it’s probably the brand’s creative team or their advertising partners who finalized the language. The criticism from the public primarily focuses on the tagline rather than the visuals or creative decisions that are usually within the talent’s sphere of influence, according to Schmidt.
Schmidt also emphasized the importance of response timing as ‘silence creates a vacuum.’
Trust’s base is built upon openness, honesty, and genuine actions. However, Sydney might not be immediately available to respond due to contractual obligations. Once she aligns with the brand regarding their joint direction, her response should show empathy and clarity, avoiding a defensive tone. The publicist suggests this approach.
Publicist Courtney Haywood echoed the call for direct accountability.
At present, silence isn’t gold by any means! Silence doesn’t imply neutrality; instead, it can come across as indifference. In today’s cultural landscape, where audiences are increasingly conscious and vocal, prolonged silence merely intensifies the situation.
Haywood urged Sweeney to ‘own the moment’ and not ‘hide behind legal jargon or brand language.’
Recognize why things ended up that way, express gratitude towards those who voiced their opinions, and vow to grow from this experience. This approach fosters lasting trust, rather than striving for flawlessness,” she emphasized.
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2025-08-23 16:39