A recent American Eagle ad campaign starring actress Sydney Sweeney has been satirized by comedian Michael Pavano following public criticism of the commercial’s message.
The original advertisement features Sweeney and plays on the homophones “genes” and “jeans.” In the clip, 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.” The ad concludes with the tagline, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.”
The campaign drew sharp criticism, with some viewers calling it tone-deaf and suggesting its language echoed rhetoric associated with eugenics and white supremacy.
In response, Los Angeles-based comedian Michael Pavano posted a parody video to his TikTok account. Donning a blonde wig and an exaggerated bust to mimic the Euphoria star, Pavano delivers a satirical voiceover that makes the alleged subtext explicit.
“My jeans are blue — so they’re, like, better than yours,” Pavano says in the clip. “They say people with blond hair and blue eyes, they’re nature’s favorite. I don’t say it, but they do — but I buy it!”
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Pavano noted that his sketch “has been received very well.”
