People Praise Comedian For Calling Out Everything “Wrong” With Sydney Sweeney’s Jeans Ad
Michael Pavano Parodies Controversial Sydney Sweeney Ad with Sharp Satire. Comedian Michael Pavano recently went viral for a drag parody mocking American Eagle’s controversial ad campaign starring Euphoria actress Sydney Sweeney. The original campaign, titled “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” used wordplay between “genes” and “jeans,” referencing traits like blue eyes and blonde hair.
Many critics slammed it as tone-deaf and accused it of pushing subtle white supremacist messaging. In response, Pavano dressed in drag—tight jeans, blonde wig—and mimicked Sweeney’s lines with exaggerated flair. His satirical version highlighted the campaign’s questionable tone, joking, “My jeans are blue – so they’re like, better than yours,” and poking fun at the ad’s vanity.
His physical comedy and over-the-top delivery emphasized the absurdity of the original message. The parody quickly gained traction online, with fans praising its humor and social commentary. Pavano said he was grateful for the support and that he puts real effort into his characters.
His spoof served as both entertainment and critique, sparking further discussion about how marketing can blur the line between clever and harmful. Despite the backlash, American Eagle stood by the campaign.
Their stock rose significantly following the release, and the company continued promoting their new collection featuring Sweeney. While Sydney Sweeney remained mostly silent on the criticism, she praised the brand’s confidence-boosting fashion in press statements.
Whether viewed as a marketing fail or success, the campaign—and Pavano’s clever response—sparked important conversations around identity, branding, and media influence. His parody reminded audiences of satire’s power to challenge and reflect culture through humor.
