American Eagle
Sydney Sweeney is finally speaking out on the controversial American Eagle ad months after it came out.
Earlier this year, Sweeney was at the center of a culture war after receiving backlash following her “great jeans” ad, which many felt was a “nazi dog whistle” and promoted eugenics.
The debate surrounding the “great jeans’ ad eventually became political, with both sides of the aisle debating the merits of the ad.
American Eagle immediately defended the commercial on social media.
“Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans…is and always about the jeans. Her jeans her story. We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.”
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Sweeney has now decided to speak out regarding American Eagle ad controversy
“I was honestly surprised by the reaction,” Sweeney tells PEOPLE. “I did it because I love the jeans and love the brand. 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.”
“Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always trying to bring people together. I’m against hate and divisiveness,” she says. “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.”