Why Don’t People Like Sydney Sweeney? Jeans, Press, and Politics Unzipped Behind The Love and Hate

Sydney Sweeney is Hollywood’s favorite contradiction and the internet’s most dependable conversational lightning rod. She is praised for visceral performances in Euphoria and adept comedic timing in The White Lotus, yet she is also frequently met with skeptical glances. One week, she is the breakout star destined for awards, the next, she is embroiled in controversy over jeans, family parties, or red-carpet choices. But what exactly fuels this rollercoaster of affection and disdain? It is time to unzip the layers and sift fact from fuss.

Jeans have never caused much drama, but leave it to Sweeney and American Eagle to turn casual denim into a full-blown cultural Rorschach test. From puns on “genes” to unexpected political hijinks, this campaign had a little for everyone to complain about—and plenty more to buy.

Sydney Sweeney’s controversial ad: The American Eagle “great jeans” campaign

In July 2025, Sydney Sweeney became the face of American Eagle’s “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” campaign, which rolled out across billboards, social media, and featured a limited-edition denim piece. The campaign played off a pun supposedly connecting “genes” and “jeans,” pairing Sweeney’s blue eyes and blonde hair with varied denim styles targeted toward Gen Z consumers. Despite its playful tone, the campaign ignited controversy, The Hollywood Reporter even calling it “the biggest controversy of her career.”   

Some critics interpreted the message as an unintentional nod toward eugenics or racial superiority themes, triggered by Sydney Sweeney’s appearance. Others found the advertisement’s sensuality problematic, feeding ongoing debates about over-sexualization in advertising. The situation intensified when former President Donald Trump publicly praised the advertisement, helping boost American Eagle’s sales and stock value. American Eagle, however, stood firm, emphasizing that the campaign “is and always was about the jeans,” over on their Instagram.^[1][2]

Sydney Sweeney’s family gatherings somehow became shorthand for a political flashpoint nobody signed up for, proving that in Hollywood, even birthday hats come with baggage. When her mother’s party hats sparked more debate than her latest film, it became clear celebrity life is never just about the spotlight—it is about who is in it, too.

Sydney Sweeney’s alleged political entanglements and family associations

Scrutiny intensified in 2022 after photos surfaced from Sydney Sweeney’s mother’s sixtieth birthday party. Guests were seen wearing hats boldly echoing the polarizing American political slogan, “Make America Great Again“. Despite Sydney Sweeney’s avoidance of public political endorsements, social media buzzed with assumptions about her views based on these images. It was in November 2022, in her interview with Variety, that Sydney Sweeney broke the silence and spoke candidly about the birthday controversy, asserting that it was “an innocent celebration.”  ^[3]

She lamented how the sweet get-together had been distorted by “so many misinterpretations,” explaining that the people in the photos were not her family but her mother’s friends who wore the controversial hats as a joke, coming from Idaho, a heavily pro-Trump state. This episode makes crystal clear the ongoing challenges for stars navigating deeply polarized media and public attention, further complicating Sydney Sweeney’s public image.

Sydney Sweeney’s missteps in fashion and cultural context: The Met Gala controversy

Sydney Sweeney attended the 2025 Met Gala in a black, curve-hugging Miu Miu gown inspired by 1950s actress Kim Novak, whom she portrays in the upcoming film Scandalous!. The dress featured shimmering beaded fringe and a daring keyhole neckline, which most thought did not fit into the cookie-cutter: Superfine: Tailoring Black Style theme of the 2025 Met Gala, and wildly crossed it. The event’s theme was to celebrate Black dandyism and cultural sartorial history, focusing on menswear and Black identity, which Sweeney appeared to be aloof to. 

Critics argued Sweeney’s homage to Novak, a white actress, was tone-deaf to the gala’s cultural emphasis. While many praised the gown’s elegance, some felt it lacked connection to the theme’s Black fashion narrative. In a Vogue interview, Sweeney explained that the dress paid tribute to her role and collaboration with director Colman Domingo. The backlash highlighted the pressures celebrities face to perfectly match complex cultural themes at high-profile events.^[4]

Apart from an entire downstage empire sprawled in the businesses, Sydney Sweeney’s acting skills span emotional breakdowns to sharp comedy. Yet somehow, public conversation often bounces back to her body instead of her talent. It is a classic Hollywood paradox: be brave enough to bare it all on screen yet expect the critics to reduce her to just that.^[5]

Over-s–ualization and weakening of her acting credentials

Sydney Sweeney faces an ongoing hurdle: viewers often focus on her physical image rather than her acting range. Her willingness to perform in intimate roles, particularly in Euphoria, feeds reductive “s– symbol” narratives that overshadow her achievements. Despite widespread acclaim and demonstrated range—including comedic hosting gigs such as Saturday Night Live!—her talents are frequently viewed through a hypers–ualized lens. This led to the mostly nonchalant Sydney Sweeney becoming frustrated at the persistent imbalance, bringing to light a familiar tension in Hollywood’s treatment of female stars. ^[6]

Why does public opinion about Sweeney fluctuate so much? It is not a question of simple liking or disliking, but rather a reflection of the amplified scrutiny fame invites. A denim campaign becomes a debate on genetics and race; family gatherings spark political gossip; a Met Gala gown invites thematic dissection. Sydney Sweeney exists less as a person and more as a cultural lightning rod, marred by fluctuating fame. This dynamic is actually not unique to Sweeney, but it is intensified by visibility—the double-edged sword that celebrities wield. ^[7]

Are there any more reasons that you can think of to add to the Sydney Sweeney love-hate mind castle? Let us know in the comments below.