“I’m not there to talk about jeans”: Fans react to Sydney Sweeney's refusal to talk about her American Eagle ad campaign while promoting Christy

Sydney Sweeney is setting the record straight at TIFF, arriving with one clear mission: to shine the spotlight on Christy, and nothing else. Following a wave of mixed reactions to her recent American Eagle jeans ad, the actress has faced her share of judgment and criticism. But at the festival, she’s making it clear that her focus is firmly on promoting Christy, not the chatter surrounding her.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Sweeney made sure to steer the conversation back to her film as she talked about her appearance at the Toronto International Film Festival and said,

“I am there to support my movie and the people involved in making it, and I’m not there to talk about jeans. The movie’s about Christy, and that’s what I’ll be there to talk about.”

The American Eagle ad, cheekily titled Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans, leaned on a “jeans versus genes” pun that quickly spiraled into an internet firestorm. While the brand intended a playful spin, many fans weren’t amused, calling the campaign problematic.

Critics pointed to troubling undertones, while American Eagle maintained it was simply a denim-focused concept. The spot remains live on the brand’s channels, but the conversation has since shifted beyond the ad itself, evolving into a wider debate on PR strategy versus retail intent.

Netizens react to Sydney Sweeney's refusal to talk about American Eagle ad at Christy campaign promotion

Sydney Sweeney is lacing up her gloves to play one of the toughest women in sports history. In Christy, the Emmy-nominated star transforms into Christy Martin, the trailblazing boxer who rose from small-town obscurity to become America’s most famous female fighter in the 1990s.

However, netizens had a lot to say after Sweeney refused to talk about her American Eagle ad at TIFF while promoting her movie.

kermit's best friend

@bianime

lmao she can’t even talk about a marketing campaign she is the spokesperson for

Another user, @dionrs94 took to X and said,

"Hmmm sounds like they’re not so great if you don’t even want to talk about them…."

However, she wasn't only met with criticism as fans ushered in support over her refusal to talk about the ad.

An X user, @Giii_014 wrote,

"She’s at TIFF, not the Levi’s flagship store. Let her cook."

Another user, @JRiley2021 wrote,

"I like her more every day!"

X user @zro_senju wrote,

"Smart move from Sydney, keeping the focus on her film rather than fueling controversy."

The film boasts a powerhouse cast alongside Sweeney. Ben Foster takes on the role of James V. Martin, Christy’s husband and manager. Merritt Wever and Ethan Embry appear as Joyce and John Salters, central figures in Christy’s story, while Katy O’Brian plays fellow boxer Lisa Holewyne. Jess Gabor joins as Christy’s high school girlfriend, Sherry Lusk, and Chad L. Coleman steps into the shoes of boxing promoter Don King.

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Production commenced in North Carolina in the fall of 2024, concluding by mid-November. Sweeney not only headlines but also serves as a producer, joining forces with Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Michôd, Teddy Schwarzman, and others under the banners of Anonymous Content, Black Bear Pictures, Votiv, Yoki, Inc., and Sydney Sweeney’s own Fifty-Fifty Films.

Christy is premiering on September 5, 2025, and is scheduled to release in theaters on November 7, 2025.

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