Sydney Sweeney is finally pushing back hard against the intense political branding that has followed her for the last year, especially the infamous “MAGA Barbie” label. She revealed in a recent Cosmopolitan interview that she feels the label just doesn’t align with her core beliefs.
“Those aren’t my values, but I feel like I’ve never needed to correct people who don’t know who I am,” the 28-year-old Euphoria star explained. Sweeney definitely isn’t comfortable with the narrative that has taken root online. She feels like she’s been forced to navigate this odd public perception, which has been fueled by assumptions about her political leanings, which she has never officially confirmed.
“It’s definitely not a comfortable thing to have people saying what you believe or think, especially when that doesn’t align with you,” Sweeney noted. She admitted that watching this narrative grow online has become unhealthy, so she’s slowly pulling herself away from the digital noise. “It’s been a weird thing having to navigate and digest, because it’s not me. None of it is me.”
This entire controversy goes back to an American Eagle jeans advertisement
The ad featured Sweeney and included a play on words, proclaiming she had “great jeans,” which was meant to sound like “great genes.” Unfortunately, many on social media saw this phrasing and immediately accused the campaign of using language that reminded them of eugenics. Sweeney herself said the intense reaction was a total “surprise.“
The company maintained that the advert was only about their clothing products, stating on social media that they will “continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.” Despite the company’s defense, the controversy picked up political steam when the Trump administration offered support. President Trump backed the ad, especially after hearing about Sweeney’s alleged Republican status.
Sweeney is trying desperately to shift the focus back to her actual career. She wants everyone to know she’s an artist, not a political commentator. She stressed that she has “never been here to talk about politics,” so this is just not a conversation she wants to be at the forefront of. “I’m not a political person. I’m in the arts,” she continued. “I’m not here to speak on politics. That’s not an area I’ve ever even imagined getting into. It’s not why I became who I am.”
The Housemaid star feels like people are trying to use her as their own “pawn” in a larger fight, and she knows she can’t control that narrative. “There’s no winning. There’s never any winning,” she admitted. She just has to stick to her truth, adding, “I just have to continue being who I am, because I know who I am. I can’t make everyone love me. I know what I stand for.”
In other news, while Sweeney navigates this difficult public perception, she also revealed her new lingerie line, SYRN. However, the launch of the brand has also come under fire, with some critics suggesting the entire thing is a “stunt,” which could potentially see the actress facing charges.
Published: Jan 30, 2026 04:30 pm