Sydney Sweeney is addressing the backlash to her controversial American Eagle ad .

Months after the Euphoria star appeared in a denim campaign for the clothing brand which used the word "jeans" as a play on genetic genes—sparking a wave of public backlash—she explained her decision to stay silent amid the criticism, admitting she regrets not speaking out sooner.

"Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always trying to bring people together,” she told People in an interview published Dec. 5. “I’m against hate and divisiveness. 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. So I hope this new year brings more focus on what connects us in

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