Halsey Urges Viewers to Separate ‘Americana’ Film from Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle Ad Backlash
Following the controversy surrounding Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad campaign, her film ‘Americana’ faced a significant impact on its opening weekend box office, with only $500,000 in revenue. The backlash against her ad has sparked a range of reactions, with some critics questioning the tone and intent of the campaign due to alleged racial undertones, while others have praised Sweeney for her bold approach to advertising. Halsey, who is also a renowned pop music artist, took to Instagram to defend the film, urging audiences to focus on its cinematic value rather than the controversy surrounding the ad. Tost, the film’s director, acknowledged the potential impact of the backlash on the film’s performance, but expressed hope that the movie would endure beyond the current cultural moment. Sweeney made her first public appearance since the ad controversy at a special screening of the film, where she faced a heckler who criticized her ad during the event. American Eagle later defended Sweeney amid the backlash, but removed the controversial video from the brand’s social media accounts, emphasizing that the ad was about the jeans and the actress’s personal story. The events surrounding the film and the ad campaign have raised questions about the intersection of personal branding, advertising, and public perception in the entertainment industry.