When it comes to celebrity endorsements, brands usually expect a little controversy—but American Eagle probably didn’t see this one coming. First Angel Reese, the college basketball star, shocked fans by openly rejecting any chance of working with the clothing giant. Now, Rosie O’Donnell has jumped into the fire with her own blunt take: “Count me out. I’d never take their money.”
The actress and outspoken comedian didn’t stop there. In fact, she went scorched earth on American Eagle’s latest ad campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney, the Euphoria star who’s become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after faces. According to Rosie, the whole campaign is “tone-deaf, unrealistic, and insulting.”
“I don’t know who thought putting Sydney Sweeney in low-rise jeans pretending to represent ‘real American youth’ was a good idea,” Rosie said in a fiery rant. “It’s fake. It’s marketing nonsense. And if they came to me with a million-dollar deal tomorrow, I’d tell them to shove it.”
Social media didn’t waste a second reacting. Some fans praised Rosie for being brutally honest, saying she echoed the frustrations of regular people who feel alienated by glossy, airbrushed campaigns. “Finally someone said it,” one user tweeted. “These brands act like the average person looks like a Hollywood star. Rosie’s right to call it out.”
But others weren’t so forgiving. Critics accused Rosie of using Sydney Sweeney’s name just to stay relevant. One TikTok user clapped back: “So Rosie O’Donnell is coming for Sydney Sweeney now? Jealous much? Sydney is booked and busy, Rosie is just bitter.”
To me, this is classic Rosie—loud, unapologetic, and willing to torch anyone in her path if it makes a point. She’s never been afraid of controversy, and this time she’s using her platform to call out what she sees as a broken, manipulative side of the fashion industry. Whether you love her or hate her, you can’t deny she makes noise.
The more fascinating twist is how Angel Reese and Rosie O’Donnell, two women from completely different worlds—sports and Hollywood—ended up saying the exact same thing about American Eagle: No thanks. Reese’s rejection was seen as a power move, a young athlete refusing to sell out. Rosie’s, however, feels more like a cultural takedown, an attack not just on the brand but on what it represents.
And what about Sydney Sweeney? She hasn’t responded yet, but her silence only fuels the drama. Is she above the criticism, or is she quietly fuming that Rosie O’Donnell dragged her name into a fashion war she didn’t ask for? One thing’s for sure: American Eagle must be sweating. What was supposed to be a clean, trendy campaign has turned into a public spectacle—two very different celebrities telling the world they wouldn’t touch the brand with a ten-foot pole.
Rosie’s words might not cost American Eagle millions in the short term, but they sting in a way that money can’t fix. They cut into the credibility of the campaign, making people question whether the shiny images match reality. And when consumers start questioning authenticity, brands lose power fast.
So here’s the reality: Rosie O’Donnell has drawn a line in the sand. She doesn’t want their deal, doesn’t want their image, and doesn’t want to play nice. She’s putting American Eagle—and, by extension, Sydney Sweeney—on blast. And judging by the storm it’s already caused, this won’t be the last word in the fight.
