Sydney Sweeney Speaks Out Against American Eagle Controversy: 'I Stand Against Hate and Division'

Sydney Sweeney has broken her silence regarding the backlash over her American Eagle advertisement, emphasizing in a recent interview that she stands "against hate and divisiveness."

Earlier this year, Sweeney appeared in American Eagle's campaign titled Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans. The ad, featuring the actress with her blonde hair and blue eyes alongside the phrase has great jeans/genes, sparked a heated debate. Critics on the left accused the campaign of suggesting eugenic or white supremacist undertones, while supporters on the right, including former President Trump, praised the advertisement.

Reflecting on the reaction, Sweeney told People, I was honestly surprised by the reaction. I did it because I love the jeans and the brand. I dont support the views some people chose to connect to the campaign. Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just arent true.

Throughout the controversy, Sweeney largely remained silent, avoiding discussions during press appearances and interviews. She previously told GQ in November, I knew at the end of the day what that ad was for, and it was great jeans, it didnt affect me one way or the other.

However, while promoting her latest film The Housemaid, Sweeney decided to address the issue directly. She acknowledged that her earlier silence may have intensified misunderstandings. Anyone who knows me knows that Im always trying to bring people together. Im against hate and divisiveness, Sweeney said. In the past my stance has been to never respond to negative or positive press but recently I have come to realize that my silence regarding this issue has only widened the divide, not closed it. So I hope this new year brings more focus on what connects us instead of what divides us.

Author: Benjamin Carter