American Eagle Outfitters has a message to its critics, who took issue over its ad with 27-year-old actor Sydney Sweeney that sparked a debate over race and Western beauty standards.

American Eagle’s campaign features Sweeney in denim, standing beside a billboard that reads “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes" before replacing "jeans" with "genes."

When a brand sees momentum stall so sharply, it often reflects a reputational or cultural factor cutting through to consumers.”