Syndey Sweeney declared she is “against hate” nearly four months after her American Eagle ad was likened to “Nazi propaganda.”
“I was honestly surprised by the reaction,” she told People of the ad, which was released in July.
“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,” the “Euphoria” actress, 28, added.
Sweeney, who said she is someone who “leads with kindness,” said she is now addressing the controversial campaign to clarify her position.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always trying to bring people together. I’m against hate and divisiveness,” she told the outlet.
“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,” Sweeney shared.
“So I hope this new year brings more focus on what connects us instead of what divides us.”
The “Anyone But You” star’s latest remarks come more than a month after she broke her silence on the denim campaign.
“I did a jean ad,” she said matter-of-factly when asked if she was surprised about the discourse. “I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise. But it was … I love jeans!”
Sweeney also said having the support of President Donald Trump was “surreal.”
Over the summer, the “Madame Web” actress made headlines after fans claimed her American Eagle ad promoted “Nazi propaganda” by using a play on the words “genes” and “jeans.”
In one of the ads, Sweeney, who has blue eyes and blond hair, talked about how genes that are passed from parent to offspring often determine traits such as “hair color, personality and even eye color.”
She then ended the video by looking at the camera and saying, “My jeans are blue.”
After receiving backlash from fans and being mocked by celebrities such as Doja Cat and Lizzo, Trump, 79, told reporters Sweeney’s ad was “fantastic.”
The politician was also happy to hear that the actress was a “registered Republican.”
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