Sydney Sweeney responds to American Eagle ad controversy

Sydney Sweeney is speaking out about the backlash to her American Eagle campaign.

It all began with a jean campaign she did with the brand on July 23, which went with the tagline, “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.”

Somehow it drew criticism as people argued that the campaign was racially insensitive, using the word “jeans” as a play on “genes.”

Others viewed it as entertaining the male gaze and echoing Brooke Shields’ 1980 denim campaign.

Now, in a recent emotional interview, the 25-year-old actress says she was "honestly surprised by the reaction.”

“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,” she told People.

Sweeney says she is speaking out now to clarify her stance and bridge divides.

“Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always trying to bring people together. I’m against hate and divisiveness,” she said. “My silence regarding this issue has only widened the divide, not closed it.”

At the time, American Eagle had also defended the campaign on social media, insisting the focus was on the jeans themselves.

“Her jeans. Her story. Great jeans look good on everyone,” the brand wrote on Instagram.

American Eagle also reported strong sales from the campaign, and that many pieces sold out.

The actress is currently promoting her upcoming film The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig and adapted from Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel.