Sydney Sweeney Finally Addresses American Eagle Controversy
After months of staying quiet, Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney has directly addressed the backlash surrounding her American Eagle advertisement — and she’s making it clear where she stands.
In a new interview with People magazine, the 28-year-old actor admitted she wishes she had spoken up much earlier.
“I’m against hate and divisiveness,” she shared. “I used to believe staying silent was the right choice, but now I realize that silence only widened the divide.”
Why the American Eagle Ad Sparked Controversy
The ad campaign, launched in July and titled “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” shows her zipping up a pair of denim jeans while lounging on a car. It also includes a playful line comparing “genes” to “jeans.”
While meant to be tongue-in-cheek, the ad drew huge backlash online. Critics accused it of hinting at eugenics and promoting “white supremacy” — claims both Sweeney and American Eagle strongly deny.
Sweeney said she never expected the reaction.
“I love the jeans and love the brand. I don’t support the views some people linked to it,” she explained. “People assigned motives to me that just aren’t true.”
American Eagle also defended the campaign, saying it was “always about jeans — her jeans, her story.”
Her First Attempt to Address It Didn’t Go Well
Sweeney actually spoke about the controversy once before — in a November GQ interview — but her brief, uncomfortable answers led to even more criticism.
When told that former President Donald Trump praised the ad, calling it the “hottest” one out there, she admitted the moment felt “surreal.” However, she declined to say more.
Looking Ahead: “I Want to Show People Who I Really Am”
Now, Sweeney says she wants to take a more open and intentional approach with the public.
“This past year has been really hard at times,” she told People. “Next year, I want to show people who I truly am, because so many people can get it wrong.”
American Eagle and Sweeney’s team have yet to release any further statements.
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