‘End of woke advertising’: Sydney Sweeney jeans ad sparks outrage

‘End of Woke Advertising’? Sydney Sweeney’s Jeans Ad Sparks Outrage and Debate

Hollywood’s rising star Sydney Sweeney has found herself at the center of a cultural firestorm — not over a film or TV show, but a jeans advertisement that’s being hailed by some as a “return to realism” and condemned by others as the “death knell of woke advertising.”

The ad, which features the Euphoria and Anyone But You actress in a classic Americana-style campaign — posing in snug denim under golden sunlight, surrounded by muscle cars and flirtatious glances — has set social media ablaze. And not just because of how she looks.

🔥 The Ad That Ignited the Fire

Released by the iconic denim brand True West, the commercial leans heavily into 90s-style sensuality: tight jeans, white tank tops, windblown hair, and Sydney Sweeney leaning across a hood of a vintage Camaro. There’s no overt message of body positivity, inclusivity, or empowerment — just old-school sex appeal.

And that’s exactly what’s causing the uproar.

👏 Supporters Say: “Finally, a Brand That’s Not Afraid”

Conservative commentators and anti-woke influencers immediately jumped on the campaign as a refreshing shift away from politically correct marketing.

“This is the end of woke advertising,” tweeted one media host.

“Sydney Sweeney just saved jeans.”

“She looks like a real woman. Sexy. Natural. Not a lecture in sight.”

To many, it felt like a pushback against the overly curated, performative virtue-signaling that’s become common in fashion campaigns — a return to selling style and seduction instead of slogans.

😡 Critics Fire Back: “It’s Regressive, Not Revolutionary”

But backlash was just as swift — especially from progressive circles and feminist commentators who say the ad reduces Sydney to a male fantasy and undoes years of progress in advertising.

“This isn’t rebellion — it’s regression,” one op-ed claimed.

“She’s being packaged like it’s 1998 again. No diversity, no message — just curves and car grease.”

“True West is sending a clear signal: inclusivity doesn’t sell, and they’re done trying.”

Some activists even called for a boycott of the brand, accusing it of “strategically rolling back representation” in order to provoke outrage — and clicks.

👀 What Sydney Sweeney Said

As of now, Sweeney hasn’t publicly commented on the controversy, though she shared the campaign on her Instagram with a simple caption:
“Raw. Real. Denim.”

It’s unclear whether she anticipated the cultural divide the ad would spark, but fans note she’s no stranger to polarizing reactions — having previously been criticized for everything from her family’s political affiliations to her public image as both “all-American sweetheart” and “Hollywood bombshell.”

🛍️ What This Means for Advertising

The outrage over Sydney Sweeney’s jeans ad taps into a bigger cultural moment:
Are we seeing a backlash to the backlash? Are brands beginning to abandon the “woke” era in favor of something more controversial — or at least, more traditional?

Some marketing experts think so.

“We’re entering an era of brand polarization,” says one branding consultant. “Companies are picking sides. True West didn’t accidentally make that ad — they made a statement. And Sydney Sweeney was the perfect face for it.”

Final Thought: Rebellion or Regression?

Whether you see it as a bold move against sanitized corporate messaging or a disappointing return to objectification, one thing is clear:
Sydney Sweeney’s jeans ad didn’t just sell denim — it split the internet.

And in an age where outrage equals engagement, it’s possible that’s exactly what the brand wanted.

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