Explained: Who is Sydney Sweeney, the actress who made American Eagle earn $400 million in 24 hours?

Sydney Sweeney, best known for her standout performances in Euphoria and The White Lotus, has a knack for commanding attention, whether it is on screen or in a commercial. However, her latest appearance in an American Eagle campaign has sparked controversy rather than praise. In the ad, Sweeney makes a pun, claiming she has great 'jeans,' a play on the word 'genes,' which has now drawn criticism and ignited debate online. Some viewers have interpreted the remark as racially insensitive, and many even questioned if Sydney is sacrificing her artistic credibility or status by doing mainstream ads and whether she was 'cheapening her brand' to earn more money. Following the controversy, American Eagle's market capitalisation increased by $400 million (Rs3,440 crore)in one day.With this pretext, let's find out her overall net worth.

Well, before the American Eagle commercial, Sweeney once spoke openly in a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter about her financial instability, reported HT. While speaking on the interview, the actress said, "I want to have a family; I’ve always wanted to be a young mom, and I’m worried about how this industry puts stigmas on young women who have children and looks at them in a different light."

Not only this, but she also highlighted that she was worried about her finances and that she wouldn't have any money or support for her kids if she didn't work. “If I wanted to take a six-month break, I don’t have the income to cover that,” she said. Not only this, she went on to state that she cannot even take a break of six months, as he lacks funds.



Born on September 12, 1997, Sydney Sweeney is an American actress recognised for her performances as Haley Caren in In the Vault (2017) and Emaline Addario in the Netflix series Everything Sucks! (2018). She also took on recurring roles in notable series such as HBO’s Sharp Objects (2018), alongside Amy Adams, and Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale (2017), featuring Elisabeth Moss.



Following the controversy, American Eagle's market capitalisation increased by $400 million (Rs 3,440 crore) in one day. American Eagle rolled out its priciest campaign ever, "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans," just in time for the crucial back-to-school shopping season.

The campaign quickly gained traction on social media, with the "Sydney Jean" collection sparking widespread excitement, largely due to Sydney Sweeney’s strong appeal among Gen Z consumers. This buzz helped drive a significant 17.65 per cent jump in American Eagle’s stock price in a single day, boosting the company’s market value past $2 billion (Rs17,200 crore)and adding more than $400 million(Rs 3,440 crore). The campaign underscores how effective celebrity endorsements combined with strategic timing can significantly enhance both brand awareness and financial performance.


Following Sweeney's new fall ad for American Eagle, the actress is receiving criticism for its tagline that reads, 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.'

According to reports, the tagline was meant to be used for a denim brand displayed in bold on billboards in Times Square and Las Vegas. But this is not what all fans are noticing; many reacted to the 'great genes' pun rather than seeing the work. As per HT, this term has been used to promote whiteness, beauty, and thinness for ages.


This sparked debate among fans online, and Sydney received a major backlash. One user on Reddit wrote, "Wait until the white supremacists find out who the 'real” Aryan race descendants actually are 🤭"

"They're turning into Abercrombie from the 2000s. Only very specific people are going to want to be seen wearing AE."


While another said, "Yeah, it's mostly because overt fascist branding targets people who are poorer, less educated, and not great long-term consumers. "I dunno that it's cheapening her career. Historically, AE has been a blue-chip brand. And A Listers have been hocking products to the public for decades. Ryan Reynolds sells Mint. Even Meryl Streep was selling Amex even after her first Oscar nod," one said.

They have less disposable income, aren't aspirational buyers, and don't drive trends. You can grift them with survival gear or supplements, but you can't build a lasting mainstream brand off that."

The recent controversy has also brought renewed attention to Sydney Sweeney’s financial standing. Fans and critics alike are now questioning whether her career choices, including brand endorsements like American Eagle, reflect a strategic move to boost her net worth or risk diluting her star power.


Sydney Sweeney is an American actress who has a net worth of $40 million (Rs 3,440 crore), according to Celebrity Net Worth. Sweeney had done some significant roles on the television series "The Handmaid's Tale" and "Sharp Objects" before she became a household name because of the Netflix series Everything Sucks! and the HBO drama Euphoria.

According to the report, Sydney's base salary stands around $2 million (Rs 17.2 crore) for Anyone But You. Later, she charged $250,000 (Rs 2.15 crore) as an executive producer. Sydney Sweeney received $750,000 (Rs 6.45 crore) for her role in Madame Web and $250,000 (Rs 2.15 crore) for the horror film Immaculate.

Currently, she stands as one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors, earning $7.5 million (Rs 64.5 crore) for starring in the 2024 thriller The Housemaid. This impressive jump in earnings reflects her rising star power and growing influence within the industry.


Sydney not only earns from movies or production, but she also makes a hefty amount from brand endorsements. The actress is extremely popular on social media and has 20 million followers on Instagram alone. Now she capitalised on her social media popularity by doing multiple brand deals, including

• Miu Miu
• Cotton On
• Armani
• Guess
• The lingerie brand Parade
• Skincare brand Laneige

Q. What was the controversy surrounding Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle ad?

The campaign, titled "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans," featured a pun on "genes" and "jeans." While intended as a playful wordplay, some viewers interpreted it as racially insensitive, leading to online backlash.

Q. What is Sydney Sweeney's net worth?

As of 2024, Sydney Sweeney's net worth is estimated to be between $40 million and $45 million.

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