Despite facing growing controversy surrounding her latest ad campaign with American Eagle, “Euphoria” star Sydney Sweeney was recently seen enjoying a lively karaoke night out in Santa Monica. 

The 27-year-old actress joined her Euphoria castmates, including Jacob Elordi, Maude Apatow, and Hunter Schafer, for a fun evening that served as a brief escape from the public criticism she’s received over her denim-focused commercial.

Sydney Sweeney Steps Out with Euphoria Cast Amid Ongoing Ad Controversy

On Saturday, August 2, social media lit up with videos and photos of the Euphoria actors hanging out at The GasLite, a popular karaoke bar in Santa Monica, California. Fans were thrilled to spot multiple cast members together as anticipation builds for the long-awaited Season 3 of the HBO hit series.

Although Sydney Sweeney was not seen in initial images shared on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), a widely circulated video clip captured the actress taking the stage alongside Hunter Schafer and Maude Apatow. 

The trio delivered an enthusiastic rendition of the iconic ’90s anthem “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes. Sweeney appeared to be in high spirits, laughing and singing along with her co-stars, visibly enjoying the moment despite the swirling controversy around her.

Jacob Elordi, who plays Nate Jacobs in the series, was also spotted in the venue, chatting with his fellow cast members in a dimly lit booth.

The outing provided a much-needed break for the cast, who are currently filming the upcoming season of Euphoria—a season that fans have been eagerly awaiting for over a year.

American Eagle Ad Gate

The karaoke night comes at a tense time for Sydney Sweeney, who has been under fire for her recent American Eagle Fall 2025 campaign. 

The brand named her as the face of their latest denim collection, celebrating what they called their “denim heritage.” However, the commercial’s creative direction has not sat well with many viewers.

The campaign, titled “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,” features the actress narrating in a voiceover that blurs the lines between “genes” and “jeans.” In one clip, Sweeney states, “My genes determine the composition of my body,” while the camera focuses on her torso. 

She then quips, “Hey, eyes up here.” In another ad, she says, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality, and even eye colour. My jeans are blue.”

American Eagle Responds

The wordplay, meant to be clever and playful, backfired among some audiences who accused the ads of being overly sexualized and catering to the male gaze. A number of social media critics went as far as to label the campaign “tone-deaf,” while others bizarrely compared the ads’ stylistic choices to “Nazi propaganda” due to the suggestive pun involving the term “genes.”

In response to the growing backlash, American Eagle issued a statement denying any deeper or controversial intent behind the campaign’s messaging. The brand emphasized that the campaign was designed to be fun and fashion-forward, not politically or socially provocative.

The popular U.S. fashion retailer clarified the intent behind its controversial slogan in a statement shared to Instagram:

Sydney Sweeney Keeps Her Cool Under Fire

Despite the uproar, Sydney Sweeney has kept a low profile in terms of publicly addressing the criticism. Instead, her recent night out with co-stars appears to be her way of pushing forward, focusing on personal joy and professional momentum as Euphoria returns to production.