American Eagle is standing by its controversial ad campaign with Sydney Sweeney, which boasts the tagline: "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans."

American Eagle Outfitters has a message to its critics, who took issue over its ad with 27-year-old actor Sydney Sweeney that sparked a debate over race and Western beauty standards.

When a brand sees momentum stall so sharply, it often reflects a reputational or cultural factor cutting through to consumers.”