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From Hollywood to Wall Street, Sydney Sweeney really is everywhere nowadays.
On Monday, the A-list actress became the latest star to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
Sweeney, 28, kicked off Monday's trading session for American Eagle Outfitters, the clothing brand she has served as the face of - and one which inadvertently plunged her into controversy.
Smiling, clapping, and posing alongside the staff, it seems the controversial 'great jeans' campaign Sweeney starred in last year for American Eagle was now behind her.
Sweeney received the red carpet welcome for her Wall Street adventures, strutting inside in style before making her way through the first floor of the stock exchange.
She was surrounded by various AE executives as she rang the bell from the stock exchange's legendary balcony, offering polite applause once the clanging erupted.
Sydney Sweeney rang the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange for American Eagle Outfitters on Monday
Sweeney, seen Monday, was looking absolutely incredible in denim
Over the summer, Sweeney found herself at the center of a heated controversy after she appeared in an American Eagle ad featuring the tagline 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans,' a pun on 'great genes'.
The phrase – and Sweeney’s blonde good looks - ignited a heated debate online when it launched in July with many accusing the company of promoting eugenics and white supremacy. Some even compared the ad to 'Nazi propaganda'.
In a recent interview with People, the Euphoria star said that staying silent about the controversial ad only fueled the uproar.
'I was honestly surprised by the reaction,' Sweeney said. '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 added.
American Eagle took a strong stance against the backlash, maintaining the campaign focused on personal style, confidence and authenticity.
'"Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans" is and always was about the jeans,' the company stated in an August 1 post on Instagram. 'Her jeans. Her story. We'll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.'
Sweeney insisted she’s 'against hate' and 'leads with kindness,' and the reason she’s confronting the issue now is to banish the negative energy.
Drenched in denim, the star was shown through the floor of the New York Stock Exchange
From Hollywood to Wall Street, Sweeney really is taking the world by storm
AE executives beamed as they watched Sweeney sign a book
The star served as the face of the brand's controversial 'great jeans' campaign last year
Based on the smiles on everyone's faces, it seemed the debacle was all behind them
'Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always trying to bring people together. I’m against hate and divisiveness,' said the star.
'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 instead of what divides us.'
The actress first addressed the furor over her American Eagle ad in a November interview with GQ, saying she did ‘a jean ad’ and was too busy filming to notice the backlash.
'I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans. I’m literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life,' she told the magazine.
Sweeney's presence was felt in Wall Street as a massive poster featuring the Hollywood star was displayed outside the building
The Anyone But You star was drenched in leather for her Wall Street adventure
The A-lister got a red carpet welcome at NYSE
Sweeney made a stylish arrival as she prepared to take Wall Street by storm
The star made time for a photo op inside the stock exchange
Sydney made her mark - literally - on her big day, signing what appeared to be a wall of autographs at the stock exchange
For another outing later that day, she worked a corset inspired denim dress and knee-high boots
'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.
'I've always believed that I'm not here to tell people what to think. 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.'
Her response at that time was perceived by some media critics and fans as dismissive.
Despite an initial drop, the campaign soon reached its goal by standing out in a competitive market.
After the ad debuted, the buzz and debate enabled American Eagle to win a huge number of new customers. Soaring sales led to jean sell-outs and boosted investor interests.
English (US) ·