Halsey slams "bulls**t" controversy over co-star Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle ad

Los Angeles, California - Sydney Sweeney's latest movie Americana is caught in the crossfire of a growing controversy – but her co-star Halsey isn't having any of it.

Sydney Sweeney's (l.) co-star Halsey has defended their recent film Americana amid backlash and calls for a boycott.
Sydney Sweeney's (l.) co-star Halsey has defended their recent film Americana amid backlash and calls for a boycott.  © Collage: IMAGO / ABACAPRESS & Screenshot/Instagram/@iamhalsey

Halsey took to her Instagram story to call out fans who are boycotting the crime thriller after Sydney's recent American Eagle ad campaign was widely criticized for seemingly leaning into eugenics dog whistles.

The controversial ad, which played on the words "genes" and "jeans," has led some fans to skip out on seeing Sydney's new project.

But the Without Me singer pushed back on her post, writing, "you should go see this movie. because [Director Tony Tost] made an exceptional film, in honor of a genre he knows intimately," per Page Six.

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"Because his work and his vision are greater than the 24 hr gossip tabloid denim bulls**t," she continued.

Halsey further doubled down, stressing that the movie should be judged on its own merit: "If you love cinema, then you should know that cinema comes first. This is cinema."

She added that she doesn't think it's fair for the press to "predatorily rip a hardworking director and his hardworking crew for their film that is completely separate-from and unrelated-to a (pretty dumb) advertising take."

Americana struggles during box office debut

Sydney Sweeney's recent film Americana has flopped at the box office and struggled to draw audiences amid controversy over her American Eagle ad.
Sydney Sweeney's recent film Americana has flopped at the box office and struggled to draw audiences amid controversy over her American Eagle ad.  © EMMA MCINTYRE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

Despite the star power, Americana struggled at the box office during its nationwide debut last weekend.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film brought in around $840,000 across 1,100 theaters, averaging $460 per screen and placing 16th overall.

But the drama hasn't stopped there.

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Amid the ad controversy, Sydney faced further backlash after voter records revealed she has been registered as a Republican in Florida since June 2024.

The Euphoria actor has so far avoided addressing the chatter around the ad and her personal politics directly, including in a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, American Eagle responded to the backlash with a more neutral statement: "We'll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone."

Cover photo: Collage: IMAGO / ABACAPRESS & Screenshot/Instagram/@iamhalsey

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