Staff Reports
In the never-ending saga of advertising and representation, a new chapter has unfolded with more drama than a reality TV show. This time, it’s American Eagle taking center stage as the brand recently featured Sydney Sweeney in its latest campaign. It’s almost like a return to a time when simplicity ruled the day, and hot chick sells the thing was the unspoken rule in advertising. For years, there has been a cultural experiment to alter the fundamental understandings of beauty in ads, telling everyone that change was not only necessary but commendable. Naturally, this comes with its fair share of opposition — so sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
As expected, the reaction to the ad featuring Sydney Sweeney has sparked outrage in some quarters. It’s like a beacon for those seeking a reason to clutch their pearls and express perpetual dissatisfaction. They like to write new scripts of offense and oppression, as if putting a traditionally attractive person in an ad is a wild departure from the norm. But let’s be honest, the outrage isn’t really about the ad itself, but more about a decades-long cultural dispute playing out in real-time.
Those who find issue with this ad might say they want diversity and inclusivity, but let’s be clear — the checklist approach to representation isn’t a magic wand. You can have all the diverse protagonists you want, but if real happiness and self-acceptance aren’t achieved internally, no ad campaign will ever be enough. It seems that some people are stuck in a cycle of discontent, expecting the world to reform itself to fit their individual criteria for validation.
But while some folks are busy being upset, American Eagle continues its business strategy. Clearly, the brand isn’t backing down from sticking with what seems to be the winning formula of yesteryears — making things that are aspirational, visually appealing, and let’s face it, sellable. They’ve doubled down on the classic route, and it seems to be good business.
In this ever-evolving marketplace of ideas, one thing is certain — sometimes, the old ways are still the best ways.
