Sydney Sweeney’s new movie took a tumble at the box office in the wake of backlash stemming from the actress’s recent ad campaign with retailer American Eagle.
“Americana,” which Sweeney stars in alongside Paul Walter Hauser and Halsey, opened to an estimated $500,000 at the box office after debuting in 1,100 nationwide, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In comparison, current blockbusters “Weapons,” “Freakier Friday” and “Nobody 2” recently reeled in an estimated $25 million, $14.5 million and $9.3 million, respectively.
The “Euphoria” star came under fire last month after her new ad campaign, “Sydney Has Great Jeans,” a play on “good genes,” debuted for the popular clothing retailer.
Some criticized the jeans campaign, featuring the blond-haired, blue-eyed actress, as having racist undertones.
“Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color,” Sweeney says in one video. “My jeans are blue.”
President Trump eventually waded into the discourse in defense of Sweeney.
“Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the ‘HOTTEST’ ad out there. It’s for American Eagle, and the jeans are ‘flying off the shelves.’ Go get ‘em Sydney!” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
Did Sweeney’s controversial ads play a role in the film’s less-than-stellar opening?
Deadline notes that while it may have had an impact, the film was never projected to be a major blockbuster hit and is still expected to be profitable for Lionsgate.
