Sydney Sweeney’s co-star Halsey blasts boycott of ‘Americana’ over jeans ad scandal: ‘Cinema comes first’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Halsey hit back at fans on Thursday, August 21, after her new film 'Americana' was hit with a boycott tied to co-star Sydney Sweeney’s controversial American Eagle jeans ad.

The 30-year-old singer, whose real name is Ashley Frangipane, stars alongside Sweeney in the crime thriller, which opened on August 15 but struggled at the box office, earning only $500,000 against its reported $9 million budget, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Halsey defends director Tony Tost as fans boycott 'Americana'

Fans had announced plans to boycott 'Americana' after Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad sparked anger online, with critics linking it to far-right politics.

Halsey turned to Instagram Stories to defend the film’s director, Tony Tost, and called on fans to see the movie.

“You should go see this movie. Because @tonytost made an exceptional film, in honor of a genre he knows intimately,” wrote Halsey while sharing the movie’s poster.

“Because his work and his vision are greater than the 24 hr gossip tabloid denim bulls***. He’s an incredible artist who made a great film with a group of hardworking, talented people. If you love cinema, then you should know that cinema comes first. This is cinema,” she added.

Halsey says 'Americana' crew should not be punished for Sydney Sweeney ad controversy

Halsey later posted and quickly deleted a close-up photo of her face with blood on her chin, appearing to respond to criticism from fans. She clarified that her comments were about supporting the crew and director, not defending the ad.

“I do agree that our words are important in this climate,” Halsey said.

“I don’t, however, think that it’s fair for the news cycle to predatorily rip a hardworking director and his hardworking crew for this film that is completely separate from and unrelated to a (pretty dumb) advertising take. If it’s not clear who the actual people I’m standing up for are, I’m sorry, look closer,” the 'Without Me' singer further wrote. 

In another deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), Halsey was more direct.

"I’m not upset the film’s release is being hurt by the timing. I am upset that a bunch of non-celebrity people involved in this film are being bullied by the media. I have said everything I am permitted to say about my feelings on the ad. And if you’re a fan of mine and think I ‘support eugenics,’ then idk what to say, idk why you’re a fan then tbh…” she wrote.

Sydney Sweeney stays silent as Matt Rife defends her

Sydney Sweeney, who has not addressed the backlash directly, returned to Instagram earlier this month to promote 'Americana' just before its release.

“A few years ago I filmed this little movie with some friends and now you get to meet penny jo ♥️,” Sweeney wrote in her post.

Meanwhile, comedian Matt Rife defended Sweeney after the film bombed at the box office.

“I keep seeing people mad at Sydney Sweeney for noooothing,” he wrote on X. “She’s learning that the internet is full of absolute garbage losers who will twist anything you say into a c***y misinterpretation. People are awful.”