It's a pun on jeans vs. genes. The slogan of the commercial was that Sydney Sweeney has great jeans, but it was also implying that she is genetically gifted. It might be more clear if you watch the commercial. You could argue the controversy was an overreaction, but it's a sensitive time and Sweeney certainly didn't handle the whole thing well.

[–] ClathrateG@hexbear.net 4 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)

Wasn't the the allegation of her being a white supremacist(outside of being pictured at her mom's birthday with a lot people were wearing MAGA hats, https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/leylamohammed/sydney-sweeney-mom-birthday-party-controversy-maga-hats) not specifically that she started in the Jeans/genes ad, but rather when no denoucing it after the widespread backlash an only layer when asked in an interview [me paraphrasing]'That ad was pretty sus, but you're not racist right?' instead of taking the opportunity to hit the softball question out of the park and unequivocally denounce racism she responded with the weaselly:

"Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always trying to bring people together. I’m against hate and divisiveness," she says. "In the past my stance has been to never respond to negative or positive press but recently I have come to realize that my silence regarding this issue has only widened the divide, not closed it. So I hope this new year brings more focus on what connects us instead of what divides us."

Could be wrong

[–] SevenSkalls@hexbear.net 4 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

Personally, I think they were just making a joke on her large breasts, and that being a white blonde girl talking about good genes only gives eugenics vibes because of the rise of Nazis again. Still, bad timing on her and the American Eagle marketing department's part, and you think it wouldn't be too difficult to put out that ass-covering statement earlier just in case.

[–] purpleworm@hexbear.net 2 points 2 hours ago

Part of the joke was also "mine are blue" in reference to both her jeans and eyes, but when that's in such proximity to talking about having "good genes" it's hard to not read an aryanist implication into it.