After weeks of criticism over the actress’ involvement in an American Eagle advertising campaign, Sydney Sweeney’s new movie has tanked at the box office.
Sydney Sweeney’s new movie has tanked at the box office.
The 27-year-old actress is on the big screen starring in Americana, which opened nationwide across the United States last weekend, but the Tony Tost-directed crime thriller, which also stars Paul Walter Hauser, 37, and singer Halsey, 29, made only $840,000 after making its US cinema debut in 1,100 cinemas.
Its opening placed it 16th at the US box office, averaging $460 per screen, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The weak debut comes in the wake of weeks of criticism surrounding Sydney’s involvement in an American Eagle advertising campaign.
The actress, who rose to prominence in Euphoria and Immaculate, became the subject of fierce online debate after fans accused the denim brand’s advert of promoting “Nazi propaganda”.
In the campaign video, Sydney, who has blond hair and blue eyes, said: “Genes that are passed from parent to offspring often determine traits such as hair colour, personality and even eye colour.”
She concluded the segment by looking into the camera and stating: “My jeans are blue.”
The advert was widely shared online, with celebrities including Doja Cat, 28, and Lizzo, 36, ridiculing the message.
American Eagle later issued a statement defending its campaign, saying: “We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.”
But US president Donald Trump, 79, was among those who praised the advert, calling it “fantastic.”
Sydney, who plays aspiring singer Penny Jo Poplin in Americana, had promoted the film on Instagram, writing alongside photographs from the set: “A few years ago I filmed this little movie with some friends and now you get to meet Penny Jo (red heart emoji).”
Public records show that Sydney has been registered with the Republican Party of Florida in Monroe County since June 2024.
Critics have linked her Americana ad to eugenics and fascism due to its play on the word “genes” in the context of Sydney’s Aryan looks.
In Americana she plays Penny Jo Poplin, a waitress at the local diner who dreams of becoming a country singer – and its characters get into a conflict while trying to gain possession of a rare Native American artefact.
Sydney promoted her new project on social media with the message: “A few years ago I filmed this little movie with some friends and now you get to meet penny jo (red heart emoji).”
She made the statement in a caption for an Instagram carousel of behind-the-scenes snaps from the film.
But trolls replied saying they would “not be watching”.
Sydney Sweeney’s new movie tanks at box office
