Sydney Sweeney has addressed the fallout from a controversial ad campaign that resulted in her being accused of racism.
Sweeney first attracted attention in July when she appeared in an ad for the popular US brand American Eagle, which used the tagline, “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans”.
While some saw it as a clever and innocuous play on the words ‘jeans’ and ‘genes’, others argued it hinted at genetic superiority.
Now, almost five months on from the furore, Sweeney, 28, has spoken about the drama in an interview with People, and said she was “honestly surprised by the reaction”.
“I did [the ad] because I love the jeans and love the brand,” she said.
“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.”
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The Euphoria star said the reality could not be further from the truth.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always trying to bring people together,” she said.
“I’m against hate and divisiveness.”
She said she was speaking out because while she didn’t usually respond to stories, this tactic wasn’t working.
“In the past, my stance has been to never respond to negative or positive press, but recently I have come to realise that my silence regarding this issue has only widened the divide, not closed it,” she said.
“So I hope this new year brings more focus on what connects us instead of what divides us.”
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It is the second time Sweeney has attempted to address the drama.
In a November interview for GQ she said, “I did a jean ad.
“I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans.
“All I wear are jeans. I’m literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life.”
It has been a busy year for Sweeney, who starred in and produced the film, Christy, about boxer Christy Martin.
Sweeney also filmed The Housemaid, which will be released in Australia on Boxing Day, and season three of Euphoria.
She was also a surprise inclusion at the June nuptials of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez in Venice, Italy.
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