Sydney Sweeney Calls Trump and Vance Support for Her Controversial Jeans Ad Surreal | Full Biography and Backlash
Hollywood sensation Sydney Bernice Sweeney has spoken out for the first time about the viral controversy surrounding her American Eagle “Great Jeans” ad campaign, which became one of 2025’s most polarizing cultural moments. What started as a simple fashion shoot spiraled into a nationwide debate involving celebrities, politicians, and media figures — and now, Sweeney is finally sharing her side of the story.
Sharon Stone attended Variety’s Power of Women LA event to honor Sydney Sweeney, her Euphoria co-star, and voiced strong support for Sweeney amid backlash over her American Eagle “Great Jeans” ad campaign. Stone defended Sweeney’s confidence and beauty, recalling a conversation comparing her situation to Jane Goodall’s criticism decades ago, emphasizing the right to embrace one’s looks.
She also shared her excitement about joining Euphoria Season 3, praising the young cast. Director Paul Feig echoed Stone’s sentiment, calling the controversy “manufactured.” The event also honored Wanda Sykes, Jamie Lee Curtis, Nicole Scherzinger, and Kate Hudson.
Who Is Sydney Sweeney?
Here’s a clean, easy-to-read table summarizing Sydney Sweeney’s key information and career highlights 👇
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sydney Bernice Sweeney |
| Born | September 12, 1997 – Spokane, Washington, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, Producer |
| Famous For | Roles in Euphoria (2019–present) and The White Lotus (2021) |
| Early Recognition | Everything Sucks!, The Handmaid’s Tale, Sharp Objects (2018) |
| Major Films | Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), Reality (2023), Anyone but You (2023), Madame Web (2024), Immaculate (2024), Christy (2025) |
| Height | 5 ft 3½ in (≈ 161 cm) |
| Net Worth | Approximately USD $40 million |
| Production Company | Fifty-Fifty Films (founded in 2020) |
| Upcoming Projects | The Housemaid, Scandalous (set to begin filming in 2026) |
| Education | Saint George’s School, Spokane – later attended Brighton Hall School, Burbank (Valedictorian) |
| University | Briefly attended UCLA |
| Early Life & Family | Mother – former criminal defense lawyer; Father – works in hospitality; has one brother |
| Hometown | Raised in northern Idaho, near the Washington border |
| Childhood Interests | Played many sports (soccer, skiing, wakeboarding, martial arts); began acting after convincing parents with a five-year plan |
| Breakthrough Role | Cassie Howard in Euphoria |
| Awards & Nominations | Two-time Primetime Emmy nominee |
| Brand Endorsements | Armani Beauty, Laneige, Miu Miu, Ford, Samsung, Baskin-Robbins, Cotton On, Guess |
| Viral Campaign | 2025 American Eagle ad “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” (sparked controversy and major publicity) |
| Personal Life | Dated Jonathan Davino (2018–2025); engaged in 2022; produced films together (Anyone but You, Immaculate) |
| Hobbies | Car restoration – owns vintage Ford models; collaborated with Ford to design a 2024 Mustang |
| Homes | Owns houses in Los Angeles, Bel Air, and Florida Keys |
| Notable Support | Sharon Stone and Paul Feig publicly defended her during the 2025 ad controversy |
From Idaho Lakes to Hollywood Lights
Born in Spokane, Washington, and raised near the Idaho border, Sweeney grew up in a close-knit, hardworking family. Her mother was a criminal defense lawyer, and her father worked in hospitality. Athletic and ambitious from childhood, she participated in soccer, baseball, skiing, wakeboarding, and martial arts — even earning belts in taekwondo and jujitsu.
Sweeney’s drive surfaced early. After auditioning for a local indie film, she pitched her parents a five-year plan to pursue acting seriously. The family moved to Los Angeles when she was 13, where she excelled academically — even becoming valedictorian of her class at Brighton Hall School.
From Small Roles to Global Fame
Sydney began her career with guest appearances in 90210, Grey’s Anatomy, and Criminal Minds. In 2018, she gained attention through dual roles in Everything Sucks! and HBO’s Sharp Objects.
Her big break came in 2019 as Cassie Howard in Euphoria, a performance that showcased her emotional range and fearlessness. Her portrayal of complex, vulnerable characters in Euphoria and The White Lotus made her one of the most versatile actresses of her generation.
She later founded Fifty-Fifty Films, producing projects like Immaculate and Christy, proving that her ambitions extend well beyond acting.
The “Great Jeans” Ad That Sparked a Firestorm
In July 2025, American Eagle unveiled its cheeky campaign:
“Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.”
The play on words — “jeans” versus “genes” — quickly went viral. Critics accused the campaign of promoting racial undertones by linking beauty and heritage. What might have been a lighthearted pun suddenly became a national controversy.
Social media exploded, with some calling the ad a “eugenics dog whistle,” while others defended it as harmless fun. Ironically, the backlash caused American Eagle’s sales and stock prices to surge, turning the campaign into a marketing success.
Trump and Vance Defend Sweeney
Amid the uproar, Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance came to Sweeney’s defense. Trump posted on Truth Social,
“The jeans are flying off the shelves. Go get ’em, Sydney!”
Vance dismissed the outrage as “ridiculous,” accusing critics of overanalyzing a harmless ad. Their comments transformed a denim campaign into a political talking point — something even Sweeney herself didn’t expect.
Sydney Sweeney Calls Trump and Vance Support ‘Surreal’
Speaking with GQ, Sweeney finally shared her thoughts on the attention — and Trump’s reaction.
“It was surreal,” she said, smiling. “I did a jean ad. The reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life.”
She revealed that she didn’t pay much attention to the controversy because she was busy filming Euphoria Season 3:
“I kind of just put my phone away… I was working 16-hour days and didn’t really see a lot of it.”
Sweeney’s calm, grounded response highlighted her maturity and professionalism — qualities that have defined her career.
Hollywood Rallies Around Sweeney
Veteran actress Sharon Stone publicly defended Sweeney at Variety’s Power of Women LA event, where she presented Sweeney with an award. Stone said,
“It’s okay to use what mama gave you. It’s really fine… Everybody has their own kind of hotness, and you’re supposed to go for that.”
Stone compared the backlash to her friend Jane Goodall’s experience, noting how women are often criticized for their looks even when excelling professionally. Sweeney reportedly replied:
“I’m sure I made a billion dollars for the jeans company — and I’m good with that.”
Director Paul Feig, who worked with Sweeney on The Housemaid, also called the controversy “manufactured,” adding,
“She’s probably one of the most confident people I’ve ever met — in a good way. She’s very savvy.”
Career Momentum Continues Despite Controversy
Instead of being weighed down by criticism, Sweeney has used the moment to propel her career further. She recently starred in the biopic “Christy”, playing legendary boxer Christy Martin, and will next appear in Echo Valley alongside Julianne Moore.
Her ability to turn controversy into confidence shows why Sweeney remains one of Hollywood’s most in-demand stars.
Sydney Sweeney’s Message: Stay Confident, Stay Focused
Amid the noise, Sydney Sweeney’s attitude is clear — embrace who you are, work hard, and ignore the chaos. Whether she’s restoring vintage Mustangs, producing films, or leading major fashion campaigns, her drive and resilience continue to inspire fans worldwide.
“It’s okay to use what your mama gave you,” said Sharon Stone.
And Sweeney? She’s proving that’s more than okay — it’s unstoppable.
Sydney Sweeney Personal Life
She started dating businessman Jonathan Davino in 2018, and they got engaged in 2022. They also worked together on movies like Anyone but You and Immaculate, and Sweeney called him her “producing partner.” Their relationship ended in 2025. Sydney also loves cars — she has fixed up a 1969 Ford Bronco and a 1965 Ford Mustang, and she owns a 1956 Ford F100 that her grandfather gave her. She even helped design a special 2024 Mustang with Ford. As she became more successful, she bought several homes — a $3 million house in Los Angeles in 2021, a $9.9 million mansion in Bel Air in 2023, and a $13.5 million home in the Florida Keys in 2024.
