The post American Eagle defends “Great Jeans” campaign after backlash appeared first on Salon.com. American Eagle is standing by its fall denim campaign starring Euphoria and Anyone But You star Sydney Sweeney after a wave of criticism accused the ads of leaning into racially coded language and imagery.

Singer Lizzo recently reacted to the controversial American Eagle jeans ad featuring actress Sydney Sweeney. Ex-Food Network star Paula Deen, who was axed during a racism scandal in 2013, has closed two of her restaurants in Savannah, Georgia.

"'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans, her story," reads the statement. "We'll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone."