Sydney Sweeney is directly addressing the widespread backlash she faced following the release of her high-profile American Eagle campaign this past summer.
The star of “Euphoria” found herself at the center of a social media storm after the denim brand launched its “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” campaign on July. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Sweeney expressed her genuine surprise at the negative response and clarified her stance to counter what she describes as false accusations and motives assigned to her.
Why Sweeney Broke Her Silence on the Ad
The actress explains that her initial motivation for partnering with the brand was solely rooted in her love for the product, not any controversial statement.
Source: Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Sweeney tells PEOPLE that she was genuinely taken aback by the heated reaction to the advertisement. “I did it because I love the jeans and love the brand,” she stated. She quickly distanced herself from any politically charged interpretations, adding, “I don’t support the views some people chose to connect to the campaign. Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just aren’t true.”
The a-lister felt compelled to break her long-standing practice of ignoring both positive and negative media coverage to actively dispel negativity and clarify her character. Asserting that she is someone who always “leads with kindness,” Sweeney wants the public to understand that her actions are always guided by a desire for unity, not separation.
She firmly stated, “Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always trying to bring people together. I’m against hate and divisiveness.” Sweeney concluded by expressing hope that her decision to finally speak out will help close the divide, noting that her prior “silence regarding this issue has only widened the divide, not closed it.” She hopes the new year will foster a focus on shared connections rather than differences.
