Halsey, co-star in Sydney Sweeney’s film ‘Americana’, has publicly defended the movie and criticized fans boycotting it due to a controversy surrounding Sweeney’s American Eagle ad campaign. This response came amid online backlash and poor box office performance for the film.
Who: The key figures involved are Halsey (singer and actress), Sydney Sweeney (actress and co-star), director Tony Tost, the film’s crew, and fans who are boycotting the film. Halsey took a stand against the criticism, while Sweeney has not commented publicly on the issue yet.
What: The controversy stems from an American Eagle ad campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney that used phrases like ‘great jeans’ and ‘great genes’ interchangeably, which some critics linked to eugenics and racist imagery from historical contexts. In response, fans called for a boycott of ‘Americana’, leading Halsey to defend the film on social media, calling the backlash ‘denim bulls–t’ and emphasizing the quality of the movie separate from the ad.
When: Halsey made her statements on social media on August 21, 2025, and news articles reporting this were published on August 24-25, 2025, within the last 24 hours from the current time. The film itself was released on August 15, 2025, but the backlash and Halsey’s response are recent events.
Where: The events unfolded primarily online, with Halsey’s posts on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), and coverage by news outlets like Billboard and Yahoo. The film ‘Americana’ is a theatrical release, but the controversy is digital and media-driven.
Why: The boycott was initiated by fans who found the American Eagle ad campaign offensive due to its perceived insensitivity and potential eugenic undertones, particularly highlighting Sweeney’s blonde hair and blue eyes. Halsey defended the film to protect the hard work of the director and crew, arguing that the movie should not be punished for an unrelated marketing mistake.
How: Halsey used her social media platforms to share her views, posting on Instagram Stories and X (where some posts were later deleted). She praised director Tony Tost’s work and called out the media for focusing on gossip rather than the film’s merits. The backlash has involved online debates, calls for boycott, and critical responses from other celebrities like Doja Cat.
Impact: The controversy has likely contributed to the film’s underwhelming box office performance, earning only $500,000 from over 1,100 theaters in its opening. It has also sparked broader discussions about celebrity endorsements, marketing ethics, and how unrelated issues can affect artistic projects. The director and crew are facing unwarranted criticism, according to Halsey.
What’s next: The film may continue to face challenges in theaters and upon its digital release, with potential ongoing boycotts. Halsey and others might further address the issue, and there could be reflections on how such controversies impact the entertainment industry. The focus may shift to whether ‘Americana’ can gain traction beyond the initial backlash.