Hollywood stars Sydney Sweeney and Halsey have launched a fierce defence of their new film, 'National Anthem', after it became the target of a vocal online boycott campaign. The controversy ignited over a promotional advertisement for the movie that featured the actresses posing in jeans.
The pair have publicly slammed the calls for a boycott, taking to social media to express their frustration and stand by their project. In a series of now-viral posts, they dismissed the criticism as baseless and 'manufactured', arguing that the outrage detracts from the film's artistic merit and message.
A Storm of Criticism
The promotional material in question, which was released to build anticipation for the film's debut, depicted Sweeney and Halsey in a stylised denim-themed shoot. Almost immediately, the ad drew a firestorm of criticism from certain quarters, with detractors mobilising online under a hashtag to boycott the film.
Rather than retreating, the celebrities chose to confront the backlash head-on. Their responses have been characterised by a defiant tone, challenging the motives of the boycotters and accusing them of creating a scandal where none exists.
Stars Hit Back on Social Media
Utilising their substantial platforms, both Sweeney and Halsey issued pointed retorts to the growing scandal. Their messages have resonated with fans, who have flocked to support the actresses, creating a heated debate across platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
The core of their defence centres on artistic freedom and what they perceive as a culture of unnecessary outrage. They have urged their followers and the public to judge the film on its own merits upon release, rather than on the perceived missteps of its marketing campaign.
As the debate rages on, all eyes are on whether the boycott will impact the box office performance of 'National Anthem' or if the stars' forceful rebuttal will quell the dissent.
