Sydney Sweeney Opens Up About Her Quiet Response to American Eagle Ad Backlash

Sydney Sweeney has finally spoken out regarding the controversy sparked by her American Eagle advertisement.

Several months after starring in a denim campaign that cleverly played with the word "jeans" and genetic "genes," the Euphoria actress faced intense public scrutiny. She has now revealed the reasons behind her initial silence and expressed regret for not addressing the situation earlier.

"Those who know me understand that I strive to unite people," Sydney told People in a December 5 interview. "I stand firmly against hate and division. Previously, I chose to ignore all press, whether positive or negative, but I now see that staying quiet only deepened the divide instead of bridging it. I hope the upcoming year encourages more attention on what unites us rather than what separates us."

At 28 years old, Sydney admitted she was taken aback by the backlash but stressed that the controversy does not represent her beliefs.

"I do not endorse the perspectives that some have associated with the campaign," she explained. "Many have put unfair labels and intentions on me that are simply inaccurate."

Earlier in November, Sydney addressed the strong reactions to the ad, defending her participation.

"It was just a jeans ad," she told GQ. "The response definitely caught me off guard, but I genuinely love jeans. Honestly, I wear jeans and a T-shirt every day."

Despite the intense opinions from public figures, Sydney said the controversy didn’t impact her personally. "At the end of the day, I knew the ad was about great jeans," she added.

Other celebrities have also faced their own public controversies recently. Here are some notable examples:

Colleen Ballinger

The YouTube personality known for her Miranda Sings character was accused in 2023 of inappropriate relationships with underage fans. Allegations surfaced from a deleted video and social media claims, sparking widespread attention. Ballinger denied the accusations and responded with a musical video, describing the situation as a harmful gossip cycle. After canceling her remaining tour dates, she has remained silent on social media.

Rachel Hollis

The author of Girl, Wash Your Face stirred controversy when discussing privilege and relatability, sparking backlash for comparing herself to iconic historical figures. She later apologized on Instagram, acknowledging the pain caused by her comments and committing to listen more thoughtfully moving forward.

Something Navy Founder

In 2020, the fashion entrepreneur announced a COVID-19 diagnosis but faced criticism after leaving quarantine with her family for the Hamptons. Despite attempts to clarify the situation, public opinion soured, leading to the end of a retail partnership. She reflected on the experience by admitting she needed to be more sensitive to the world’s circumstances.

Emily Gellis Lande vs. Registered Dietitian

Fashion influencer Emily Gellis Lande publicly criticized a dietitian’s program, sharing unverified negative experiences from dieters. The dietitian denied the claims and filed lawsuits alleging defamation. The dispute has attracted media attention, with both sides standing firm.

Jessica Mulroney

Friend of Meghan Markle and lifestyle influencer Jessica Mulroney faced backlash in 2020 after conflicts with blogger Sasha Exeter regarding racial issues. Mulroney issued apologies but lost her reality show, and her husband resigned from his TV host role, emphasizing the need for diverse representation.

Logan Paul

The YouTube star experienced an FBI raid at his home related to an incident at a protest in Arizona. Paul denied involvement in illegal activities and expressed willingness to cooperate with investigators. Although no charges were filed, the event generated significant media coverage.