Sydney Sweeney’s rise to fame has been full of controversies. It made her face intense public scrutiny and a lot of unwanted and unexpected criticism. The actress has often found herself in the middle of some misunderstandings and viral internet rumors. All these incidents showcase the intense spotlight that celebs remain under, and how all their moves get dissected by their own fans.
Here are the 5 biggest and most recent Sydney Sweeney controversies that led her to become the subject of online talks and intense debates.
Sydney Sweeney’s biggest controversies
Ballerina Backlash gets harsh on Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeney’s Jimmy Choo photoshoot for the fall 2025 ad campaign, where she posed in pointe shoes, became a reason for fans calling her out. As per the backlash, coming from professional ballerinas, she spread misrepresentation of their art form. These professionals were quick to point out the technical inaccuracies within her posture and even her shoe positioning.
The backlash was quite swift on social media. The incident highlighted tension between artistic interpretations of high fashion and respect for some specialized crafts. Amidst all, Sweeney was put in a completely unexpected crossfire.
The Great Jeans Uproar
American Eagle’s major playful ad campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney backfired because of a pun that was misunderstood. The ad featuring Sweeney delivered a pun that stated, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring… My jeans are blue.” This pun was intended for a lighthearted slogan for the “Sydney Has Great Jeans” initiative.
The ad, though, got misinterpreted by some online users. As per their claims, it promoted eugenics and the Nazi ideology because of Sweeney’s blue eyes and blonde hair. It linked the blonde and blue-eyed aesthetic to the ideals of some genetic superiority. It even forced the brand to publicly defend its intent.
Unwelcomed President Endorsement of Sydney Sweeney
The American Eagle brand controversy took a political turn as President Donald Trump publicly went ahead to praise the advertisement. He commented that it was one of the “HOTTEST” campaigns while celebrating the celebrity’s status as a registered Republican.
Such endorsement fuelled the chaos further in the ongoing cultural war that surrounded the advertisement. It pulled Sweeney into the political spotlight, and she might not have sought it. It created a complex narrative for her that overshadowed all her professional projects at that time.
Note: She ensured that she would remain silent on all political affiliations. She allowed the brand to handle the fallout of the campaign.
Super Bowl Celebration Rumors
A fabricated and bizarre story about Sweeny went viral just before the Super Bowl. As per the rumor, she promised to go naked if the Buffalo Bills win the Super Bowl championship. Such an outrageous statement spread like wildfire all across social media.
The claims were, though, entirely false. It originated from one of the meme accounts, which swapped out the team names and made other changes. This incident showed how easy it is to bring on some baseless gossip about popular figures and how easily it starts to get traction, creating controversy out of nowhere.
Sydney Sweeney Soapy Side Hustle
As Sweeney promoted a partnership with Dr. Squatch, a men’s soap brand, she found herself in an oddly viral territory, drawing eyebrows. The company launched the marketing gimmick, a limited-edition soap bar, showing it to be made out of Sydney Sweeney’s bathwater. This stunt met with a mix of reactions online.
The campaign, while successful in driving brand awareness, was criticized for being so bizarre and using a transactional marketing ploy. It led to online discussions on celeb endorsements and brand collaborations in today’s world.
Conclusion
Sydney Sweeney’s career is a testament to how celebs navigate complexities that arrive with their fame. These are nothing but the results of outrage or misunderstandings. They also highlight the constant challenge of balancing one’s career while having a public persona that is entirely under a microscope.
