Maiden Mother Matriarch with Louise Perry BONUS: the new politics of advertising
Aug 6, 2025
A controversial ad featuring Sydney Sweeney sparks a deep dive into the politics of celebrity endorsements. The discussion reveals how social media reactions mirror intrasexual competition, with insights into how different political ideologies respond. Beauty standards take center stage as debates unfold around confident women in advertising, raising questions about societal views. The chat also explores why many brands embraced the 2020 zeitgeist, indicative of a shifting landscape in popular culture.
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Sydney Sweeney Ad Sparks Intrasexual Rivalry
- Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle ad sparked politically charged responses, revealing intrasexual competition among women.
- Women on the left tried to downgrade her attractiveness, reflecting anxiety about mate value in popular culture.
Mating Strategies in Online Reactions
- Men judging Sydney Sweeney as "mid" aim to lower women's self-esteem in hopes of becoming more appealing partners.
- The ad exposed mating strategies where men and women manipulate perceptions of attractiveness.
Historical Pattern of Reacting to Female Sexuality
- Outrage over sexually confident female celebrities isn't new, reflecting underlying anxiety about perceived mate value.
- Controversies like Sydney Sweeney's ad echo similar responses to Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera decades ago.