Megyn Kelly expressed strong support for Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle commercial while simultaneously criticizing Beyoncé’s latest Levi’s campaign. On August 5, Kelly contrasted the two ads sharply, praising Sweeney’s work and dismissing Beyoncé’s portrayal as artificial.
Controversy Surrounding Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle Commercial
The ad featuring Sydney Sweeney, titled Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans, became a source of controversy for allegedly promoting white supremacy. One segment features Sweeney saying,
Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue.
This line sparked backlash with some viewers interpreting it as a symbol of racial exclusivity.
A TikTok user commented on the campaign,
They could have chosen a number of angles to go about this campaign, but saying that about a blonde-hair, blue-eyed woman right now who’s dressed all like yeehaw America — that says a lot.
Despite the criticism, former President Donald Trump voiced his approval of the advertisement.
American Eagle responded to the controversy by stating,
‘Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans’ is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story. We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.
Megyn Kelly’s Criticism of Beyoncé’s Levi Campaign and Fans’ Reactions
Kelly’s disapproval of Beyoncé was clearly expressed in her tweet,
This is the opposite of the Sydney Sweeney ad, Quite clearly there is nothing natural about Beyoncé. Everything — from her image to her fame to her success to her look below — is bought and paid for. Screams artificial, fake, enhanced, trying too hard.
This type of commentary reflects long-standing tensions, as Beyoncé’s fan community, including the prominent fan page BeyLegion, reacted sharply. BeyLegion tweeted back at Kelly,
Your decades-long obsession with Beyoncé is very pathetic.
Meanwhile, Beyoncé has not publicly responded to Kelly’s remarks, but many fans anticipate a new phase in her work, expected to be her upcoming “act iii.”
Implications of the Advertising Dispute and Fan Dynamics
The debate over the Sydney Sweeney American Eagle ad controversy illustrates the sensitive cultural conversations surrounding advertising imagery and messaging, particularly when it involves race and identity. Kelly’s contrasting opinions on two major campaigns highlight how polarized responses can emerge from celebrity endorsements and brand representation. As Beyoncé prepares for new releases, the public discourse around these campaigns will likely continue influencing perceptions of brand authenticity and societal impact.
