When it comes to shaking the internet, Lizzo never
plays small. The Grammy-winning powerhouse just reignited one of fashion’s most
controversial pop culture moments — and this time, she pulled Sydney Sweeney
right back into the spotlight.
In her brand-new track, “I’m Goin’ In
Till October,” Lizzo slyly name-dropped the Euphoria
actress, directly referencing the infamous American Eagle jeans campaign that
drew widespread criticism last year. The move has already set social media
ablaze, splitting fans between calling it clever shade, comedic genius, or a
risky shot that might stir more backlash.
And yet, it’s
working — everyone is talking.
Lizzo’s Bold
Lyric Sparks Frenzy
In a teaser clip shared to her 11.6 million Instagram
followers, Lizzo strutted in tiny denim shorts, rocking a platinum blonde wig,
and rapping lines that instantly caught attention:
“No kizzy / He ain’t got no business being with me,
Fat ass pretty face
with the t–ties,
Bitch, I got good
jeans like I’m Sydney.”
The playful
pun hit harder than expected. Not only did Lizzo revive a debate that many
thought had already faded, but she also managed to take control of the
narrative, transforming a controversial fashion ad into a viral cultural
moment.
A Campaign That
Refused to Fade
Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign — which was
supposed to celebrate denim and confidence — instead became one of the most
divisive ads of the year.
The actress
posed for the brand’s fall line in a shoot that highlighted the phrase: “Sydney
Sweeney has great jeans.” What was meant as lighthearted wordplay
quickly spiraled into outrage, with critics claiming it carried uncomfortable
racial overtones. Some even went as far as labeling the campaign as “full-on
Nazi propaganda.”
Even worse, the ad gained unlikely praise from
President Trump, who not only defended the campaign but also used Sweeney’s
status as a registered Republican to back his public approval.
For many, the controversy left Sweeney in an
impossible position. Should she clap back, clarify, or remain silent? In the
end, the actress chose silence — a decision that fueled just as much
speculation as the ad itself.
Lizzo’s Timing
Couldn’t Be Sharper
So why is Lizzo bringing it back now? Timing is
everything in music — and this isn’t just random.
Dropping a
lyric like this ensures her track gains viral traction. Social media thrives on
cultural callbacks, especially ones tied to controversies people can’t quite
forget. The jeans fiasco is still fresh in public memory, and Lizzo’s witty bar
puts her directly in the center of a trending conversation.
Fans flooded
her Instagram comments within hours:
·
“Not her dragging Sydney back into
the denim mess 😂”
·
“This is petty genius, Lizzo never
misses.”
·
“Sydney somewhere screaming at her
PR team right now.”
American Eagle’s
Stance
Interestingly, the clothing retailer has stood firm
throughout the backlash. In a statement released earlier this year, American
Eagle doubled down on its original concept:
“This
campaign is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her narrative. We will
continue to honor the unique ways everyone wears their AE jeans with
confidence. Great jeans flatter everyone.”
The company
has kept its messaging consistent, refusing to shift tone even as the
controversy snowballed online. For them, Lizzo’s reference may be free
advertising — but for Sydney, it’s another round of uncomfortable spotlight.
Trump’s Unlikely
Involvement
What complicated the fallout even more was former
President Trump’s unexpected endorsement of Sweeney’s ad.
“Oh, now I
adore her ad … If Sydney Sweeney is registered, I think her ad is fantastic,”
Trump said at the time. His public support, combined with allegations of “Nazi
propaganda,” pushed the campaign into even murkier waters — transforming what
should have been a harmless denim rollout into one of the year’s most
talked-about branding disasters.
What This Means
for Sydney
Sydney Sweeney has built her career carefully,
balancing blockbuster roles like Euphoria and Anyone
But You with high-profile endorsements. But this denim controversy
has become a shadow she can’t seem to escape.
Her silence
has shielded her from saying the wrong thing, but it also gives others — like
Lizzo — the chance to control the narrative. And now, instead of fading into
the past, the jeans campaign is back in the spotlight, attached to a
chart-topping artist’s lyrics.
Lizzo: Petty or
Brilliant?
The big question: Was Lizzo just being playful, or
was this a deliberate move to stir the pot?
Music history
is full of artists taking playful jabs at celebrities, but rarely does a line
carry this much cultural weight. Lizzo knows how to keep her name in headlines,
and this lyric ensured that her song rollout wouldn’t just be about the beat —
it would be about the conversation.
And when it
comes to streaming, publicity, and trending power, that might just be genius.
Final Word
What started as a simple jeans ad has spiraled into
an ongoing cultural saga — and Lizzo just poured gasoline on the fire.
By dragging
Sydney Sweeney’s name back into the denim drama, she ensured that the
controversy would live on, not just in marketing circles but in music history
as well.
The internet
can’t decide whether to laugh, cringe, or applaud — and that’s exactly why
Lizzo’s move worked.
Because in
2025, controversy sells just as much as talent.
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