Nate Bargatze subtly roasted Sydney Sweeney over her controversial jeans ad at the 2025 Emmy Awards. Comedian Nate Bargatze hosted television’s biggest awards night honoring excellence in the medium. He couldn’t resist making a lighthearted joke about Sydney Sweeney’s denim campaign for American Eagle jeans.
Nate Bargatze joked about Sydney Sweeney’s jeans ad at Emmys
Comedian Nate Bargatze mocked Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign just before introducing The White Lotus star as a presenter. Dressed in an all-blue denim tuxedo, he kept a straight face as he said: “I have a blue jean tux on for some reason. Do we have like, a joke… there’s a cummerbund, and I forgot what it… I don’t know. Alright. Please welcome two-time Emmy nominee Sydney Sweeney.”
The joke was unscripted, prompted by an accidental camera slip-up, and highlighted Bargatze’s quick wit and timing. Without lingering on the moment, he confidently introduced Sydney Sweeney onto the brightly lit stage.
Sydney Sweeney walked onstage in a strapless red satin Oscar de la Renta gown with a small train. The Euphoria and Anyone But You star ignored Bargatze’s joke — and his denim outfit — as she presented the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie to 15-year-old breakout star Owen Cooper for his role in Adolescence.
For context, Sydney Sweeney appeared in American Eagle’s summer denim campaign titled “Great Jeans,” with the tagline: “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.” The ad sparked widespread controversy online, with critics alleging it promoted eugenics because of the jeans/genes wordplay. The backlash quickly escalated, sparking boycotts, heated debates, and extensive media coverage.
Notably, Sweeney skipped the 2025 Emmys after-party. According to TMZ, the Christy star cited an early filming commitment the following day as the reason. She will headline Christy, which is set to release worldwide in theaters on November 7, marking a significant milestone in her expanding career.
