Sydney Sweeney has spoken out for the first time about the controversy surrounding her American Eagle jeans campaign, explaining that she was never pressured to respond publicly to the criticism and remains confident in her choices.
In a candid interview with GQ magazine, the Euphoria star, 28, said she was surprised by the backlash but stood by the project. “I know who I am. I know what I value. I know that I’m a kind person,” Sweeney said. The actress emphasized that she doesn’t allow public opinion to define her, adding that she prefers to focus on her work and personal values.
Reflecting on the reaction to the campaign, Sweeney downplayed the controversy, calling it unexpected but harmless. “I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans,” she explained. “I knew at the end of the day what that ad was for, and it was great jeans, it didn’t affect me one way or the other.”
The Anyone But You and Immaculate actress said she chose not to engage with the criticism and focused instead on her busy filming schedule. “I kind of just put my phone away. I was filming every day. I’m filming Euphoria, so I’m working 16-hour days,” she said, noting that she rarely brings her phone to set and spends her evenings resting. “I didn’t really see a lot of it,” she admitted.
Sweeney also reacted to an unexpected show of support from U.S. President Donald Trump, who publicly commented on the controversy. The actress described his response as “surreal.” “It was surreal to find out that Donald also had an opinion about the ad,” she said with a laugh, acknowledging the strangeness of seeing her name tied to political discussions over something as simple as a fashion campaign.
Despite the online debate, Sweeney made it clear that the incident did not shake her confidence. “I love a lot and just excited to see what happens next,” she said, reflecting her upbeat outlook on both her career and life beyond Hollywood.
The actress has continued to balance multiple high-profile projects, including her role in Euphoria and her latest film, Christy, which hits theaters on November 7. Her response to the controversy underscores her determination to stay grounded and focused on her work — regardless of outside noise.