Sydney Sweeney rejects the “MAGA Barbie” label she received online, addressing the controversy sparked by her July 2023 American Eagle “Great Jeans” campaign. Critics claimed the ad emphasized her blond hair and blue eyes in ways resembling Nazi propaganda. In a Cosmopolitan interview, the actress stated she avoids discussing politics despite being a registered Republican since June 2024.
“It’s not a conversation I want to be at the forefront of,” Sweeney explained, emphasizing her focus on artistic work rather than political discourse. She acknowledged feeling used as a “pawn” by others assigning motives to her, noting she can’t control these perceptions. The “Euphoria” star denied being hateful, adding there’s “no winning” in defending herself against politically charged accusations.
Sweeney stressed she isn’t political by nature: “I’m in the arts. I believe we should all love each other and have respect.” She admitted avoiding online commentary about herself for mental health reasons, calling it “weird” to navigate false narratives.
Last month, Sweeney told People she initially stayed silent on the American Eagle controversy but now regrets that approach, saying her silence “widened the divide.” She clarified she created the ad solely because she liked the brand and denounced interpretations linking it to harmful ideologies.
“I don’t support the views some people chose to connect to the campaign,” she stated, rejecting attempts to define her beliefs.