India, Aug. 13 -- Foot traffic at American Eagle stores dropped 9 percent two weeks after Sydney Sweeney appeared in a controversial ad campaign for the brand, according to data from Pass_by, Independent reported.

American Eagle featured the 27-year-old Euphoria and Madame Web actress in a campaign called "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans" last month. The ad sparked backlash, with some critics accusing it of promoting eugenic ideas due to the play on the words "jeans" and "genes."

Others called the ad racist, which led to strong pushback from conservatives. Vice President JD Vance, Senator Ted Cruz, and President Donald Trump defended Sweeney.

Following the backlash, data from Pass_by, shared with Retail Brew, showed a drop in foot traff...