Critics argued the wordplay between jeans and genes promoted genetic superiority. Others said the campaign objectified her and compared it to the Brooke Shields Calvin Klein ad from the 1980s. Comments poured in under her movie post. Some were harsh, like “Perfect, won’t be watching it.” And then others tried to back her up, saying things like “Do your thing, Sydney! Don’t let those haters get to you!” American Eagle released a statement denying any racial undertone, saying the campaign “is and always was about the jeans.” They stressed that great jeans look good on everyone.