Staff Reports
In the latest chapter of America’s culture wars, a battle as old as time has been rekindled: what defines beauty in advertising? For quite some time, social narratives have challenged the traditional image of beauty, promoting a wide array of models to reflect a more inclusive society. However, recent events mark a significant pushback, captivating the public’s attention.
Picture this: for the past decade, ads have been saturated with slogans urging the acceptance of diverse body types, proclaiming a broad spectrum of appearances as beautiful. It seemed there was a consensus forming—advertising could inspire confidence in everyone, regardless of shape or size. Enter the Sydney Sweeney ad for American Eagle, a classic take on fashion marketing with a straightforward appeal—something viewers had seen countless times before but had seemingly vanished from the cultural landscape. This ad featured not just clothes, but the revival of an age-old trope: the attractive model selling the fantasy.
The reaction to this ad has been nothing short of explosive. Critics of progressive media immediately highlighted the hypocrisy inherent in the backlash. Here was a situation where previous campaigns were celebrated for their progressive narrative, yet a return to traditional advertising unleashed a torrent of online dissent. There were rants, accusations, and of course, claims of oppression—a cacophony of dissatisfaction from those who had championed broader representation.
The response from the detractors wasn’t just focused on the ad itself but was symptomatic of a larger shift. American Eagle’s decision to run the Sydney Sweeney ad seemed to signal a return to “business as usual.” The reaction was swift, and even voices from high places joined the fray.
In a surprising twist, the message seemed to suggest that perhaps not everyone is on board with the progressive wave. The message was clear: beauty isn’t just in the eye of the beholder; it’s also in the wallet of the consumer. For some, this moment has been a cultural reset, a reminder that while trends may shift, traditional ideas have a resilience all their own. Just as ads return to familiar imagery, this controversy has underscored a fundamental truth about the culture wars: they are never truly finished, just momentarily paused. And with the latest saga, it’s evident that the line between inclusivity and tradition is as blurred and contentious as ever.
