Title: "Halsey, Sydney Sweeney’s Co-Star, Condemns Film Boycott Over Jeans Ad Scandal Amid Box Office Flop"

This version maintains key details while refining tone and clarity.

Halsey Defends Film Amid Boycott Over Sydney Sweeney’s Controversial Ad
(Images: Halsey and Sweeney on set; American Eagle ad backlash; Halsey’s Instagram posts)

Halsey (Ashley Frangipane) clapped back at fans boycotting her new film Americana after co-star Sydney Sweeney faced backlash for a polarizing American Eagle ad. The crime thriller, released August 15, flopped at the box office, earning just $500,000 against its $9 million budget. Fans linked the boycott to Sweeney’s ad campaign, which critics accused of echoing eugenics due to its tagline, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans” — a pun on “great genes.”

Halsey’s Defense
In since-deleted Instagram Stories, Halsey urged support for Americana, praising director Tony Tost and the crew while avoiding mention of Sweeney. “Cinema comes first,” she wrote, calling the film “exceptional” and dismissing the controversy as “24-hour gossip tabloid denim bulls***.” She later clarified she was defending the crew from online bullying, not endorsing the ad.

(Image: Halsey’s blood-smeared selfie with caption defending the film’s team)

Fans on Reddit largely backed Halsey, with one noting, “She’s saying the movie has nothing to do with that AE drama.” Others criticized Sweeney for staying silent while Halsey faced fallout.

Sweeney’s Silence
Sweeney, 27, broke her social media hiatus days before Americana’s release but ignored the ad scandal, instead sharing behind-the-scenes film photos. Her American Eagle campaign, featuring slogans like “genes are passed down” alongside her blue eyes, sparked accusations of promoting white supremacy. The brand insisted the ads were “about jeans,” but Sweeney has not addressed the backlash.

(Image: Sweeney’s Instagram post promoting Americana)

PR Experts Weigh In
Crisis PR specialist Eric Schiffer warned Sweeney’s silence risks alienating progressive fans: “Every hour of hush hurls her brand deeper into racial quicksand.” Others, like Alexandria Hurley, called the controversy a “calculated strategy” to boost attention, noting Sweeney’s history of provocative campaigns.

(Image: American Eagle’s ad billboard with altered “genes/jeans” text)

While some experts urged Sweeney to apologize, Toni Ferrara argued, “Not every controversy needs a Notes app apology.” Alexandria Hammond, however, stressed Sweeney’s accountability: “By agreeing to the campaign, she co-signed its message… she sold out.”

The Fallout
As Americana struggles, Halsey’s focus on the film’s artistic merit contrasts with Sweeney’s silence. Whether the boycott stems from genuine outrage or effective PR theatrics remains debated, but the clash highlights the risks of mixing celebrity branding with charged cultural discourse.

(Image: Box office numbers vs. film poster)

Final Takeaway
The controversy underscores Hollywood’s tightrope between provocative marketing and public accountability. For Halsey, defending her project’s integrity may salvage respect, while Sweeney’s next move — or lack thereof — could redefine her brand in an era where silence speaks volumes.

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