Recording artist Lizzo recently plunged into the ongoing digital discourse surrounding American Eagle’s viral campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, igniting a fresh wave of controversy with her satirical take.

The Grammy-winning musician amplified the conversation by sharing an AI-generated image of herself clad entirely in denim to her Instagram, accompanied by the caption, “My jeans are black.” Adding a layer of political commentary, the image also prominently displayed text that read, “If the Democrats won the election.”

However, Lizzo’s attempt at humor and social critique largely backfired, drawing significant criticism from her vast online following. Many commenters swiftly condemned her post as “embarrassing,” arguing that Sweeney’s presence in the ad did not inherently diminish other ethnicities or beauty standards, as some online narratives had suggested.

The core of the initial contention revolves around American Eagle’s highly visible ad campaign, which showcases Sydney Sweeney in various provocative poses alongside a sports car, promoting the retailer’s denim collection. A particular line from the campaign, where Sweeney states, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My jeans are blue,” became a focal point of discussion.

This specific messaging was quickly seized upon by elements within mainstream media and certain leftist social media influencers, who interpreted the “My jeans are blue” line as a veiled reference to race or political alignment, despite its clear biological context. These interpretations often led to accusations that the ads were “racist” or “hateful” simply for featuring a white individual.

Further complicating the narrative, Lizzo’s post also involved reposting content from Kevin Flynn of the “whitepeoplehumor” account, with critics noting she subsequently cropped out his name when sharing it on her personal platform, adding another layer to the social media debate.

Amidst the swirling online storm, American Eagle issued a statement affirming its commitment to inclusivity, asserting, “We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.” This statement aimed to clarify the brand’s position and diffuse the escalating controversy.

The incident underscores the volatile nature of online discourse, where celebrity commentary can rapidly amplify existing tensions and misinterpretations, leading to widespread public scrutiny and intense social media “cancel culture” dynamics, highlighting the delicate balance between satire and public perception in the digital age.