Sydney Sweeney admits she was surprised by intense backlash to American Eagle jeans campaign

Sydney Sweeney isn’t feeling euphoric about online commentary.The “Housemaid” star, 28, came under fire following an American Eagle partnership in July.The “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans” campaign sparked a debate about race and beauty standards.Critics focused on the use of the word “genes” instead of “jeans” when discussing the blonde-haired, blue-eyed star.Many social media users felt that the ad promoted eugenics.Now, Sweeney is getting candid on her ad’s reaction.“I was honestly surprised by the reaction,” she confessed to 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.”Sweeney said she “leads with kindness” in her life and doesn’t want to be associated with anything negative.“Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always trying to bring people together,” she continued.

“I’m against hate and divisiveness.” Sweeney also cleared up why she chose to speak out now.“In the past my stance has been to never respond to negative or positive press,” the “Anyone But You” actress detailed, “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.” In November, Sweeney told GQ: “I’ve always believed that I’m not here to tell people what to think.

I’m just here to kind of open their eyes to different ideas.”The “Euphoria” star also explained why she doesn’t feel the need to address things publicly, stating, “I’ll vent to my girlfriends.”“But other than that, no.I know who I am.

I know what I value.I know that I’m a kind person.

I know that I love a lot, and I know that I’m just excited to see what happens next.And so I don’t really let other people define who I am.”“I did a ...