Sydney Sweeney’s PR nightmare just keeps unfolding — and this time, it’s not just the internet that’s over it.
The 27-year-old Euphoria actress has been catching heat after a string of tone-deaf interviews, awkward ads, and public missteps that have Hollywood buzzing for all the wrong reasons.
It all began with her controversial American Eagle ad, which played off the word “jeans” — and drew backlash for what critics saw as racially insensitive undertones. Many found it strange, if not inappropriate, that the message about “good genes” came from a blonde white actress.
Last week, things escalated after Sydney’s GQ interview, where she was asked directly about the ad and its alleged political undertones. Her response didn’t help.
“White people shouldn’t joke about genetic superiority; that was like the conversation,” the interviewer prompted, giving her a chance to clarify.
“I think that when I have an issue that I want to speak about, people will hear,” Sydney replied — a vague and dismissive response that immediately went viral.
The fallout was fast. According to reports, Zendaya — her Euphoria co-star — now refuses to appear alongside her in any joint press for the upcoming season.
“It’s a difficult position for Zendaya to be in,” a source told The Daily Mail. “Because if she even stands next to Sydney on the red carpet, it can be read as her excusing Sydney’s views on Trump and her refusal to apologise for the racist ad.”
Others in Hollywood have also made their feelings clear. Actress Aimee Lou Wood dropped a vomiting emoji under Sydney’s GQ clip, while SZA liked a post criticizing Sydney’s behavior. Ruby Rose even slammed her in a lengthy Instagram rant, calling her “a cretin” and claiming she “ruined the film” Christy.
Between a mounting PR crisis, lukewarm box office returns, and growing isolation among peers, it’s shaping up to be a rough start to 2026 for Sweeney — who’s quickly learning that silence can sometimes be louder than words.
