Sydney Sweeney Boycott Backlash: Halsey Defends Co-Star and Film Amid Ad Controversy

The box office performance of the new film Americana has been overshadowed by a social media firestorm, as co-star Halsey fiercely defends the project and Sydney Sweeney from online trolls calling for a boycott. The controversy stems from a separate advertising campaign for American Eagle that ignited accusations of racial insensitivity, sparking calls to avoid the unrelated movie.

Halsey took to social media to condemn what they characterized as predatory media behavior, arguing that the hard work of the entire film crew was being unfairly punished for a separate incident. In a now-deleted post, the singer and actor expressed frustration that the news cycle was damaging a project completely unrelated to the advertising controversy, stating the film’s release was being hurt by what was termed “24hr gossip tabloid denim” nonsense. The defense highlighted the dedication of first-time director Tony Tost and the entire non-celebrity crew behind the crime thriller.

How Did an Ad Campaign Spark a Film Boycott?

The chain of events began when American Eagle launched a campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney with the tagline, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.” The pun on the word “genes” was immediately criticized online by many who viewed it as a tone-deaf reference to concepts historically linked to celebrating whiteness and problematic ideals of attractiveness. The swift backlash against Sweeney quickly expanded beyond the ad itself, with some online voices urging a boycott of all her projects, including the newly released Americana.

This spillover effect led to a challenging opening weekend for the film, which also stars Paul Walter Hauser and premiered at SXSW in 2023. The situation exemplifies how rapidly online controversies can impact unrelated creative endeavors, affecting not just A-list actors but the entire network of professionals involved in a production. Halsey’s response specifically pointed to this, expressing upset that a crew of everyday workers was facing bullying and professional hardship due to the timing and nature of the online discourse.

In their posts, Halsey clarified their position on the original ad while vehemently defending the artistic merit of Americana. They encouraged audiences to see the film based on its own qualities, separate from the external advertising controversy. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the interconnected nature of celebrity, branding, and art in the digital age, where controversies can instantly transcend their original context and have real-world consequences for projects and people far removed from the initial issue.

The conversation around branding, celebrity, and social responsibility continues to evolve, demonstrating the powerful and often unpredictable impact of online discourse on the entertainment industry. For those interested in supporting independent filmmaking, evaluating a project on its own artistic merits remains the most constructive path forward.

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Must Know

What was the American Eagle controversy about?
The controversy involved an American Eagle ad campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney. The tagline, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” was criticized as a pun on “genes,” which many viewed as having racial undertones and promoting outdated ideals linked to whiteness and attractiveness.

How did Halsey defend Sydney Sweeney?
Halsey defended Sweeney and their film Americana on social media, calling the ad controversy “dumb” and arguing that the film and its crew should not be punished for a separate advertising campaign. They praised the director’s work and urged people to see the movie based on its own merit.

What is the film Americana about?
Americana is a crime thriller film written and directed by Tony Tost in his directorial debut. It stars Sydney Sweeney, Halsey, and Paul Walter Hauser. The film premiered at the SXSW festival in 2023 before its wider theatrical release.

Did the boycott affect the box office of Americana?
Reports indicate that Americana underperformed at the box office during its opening weekend. The timing of its release coincided with the peak of the online controversy and calls for a boycott, which is widely believed to have negatively impacted its commercial performance.