Sydney Sweeney Reveals the Moment Criticism Hit Her Hardest

Sydney Sweeney has been in the spotlight for over a decade, but she says the real wave of criticism didn’t hit until recently. The actress, known for her roles on HBO hits like Euphoria and The White Lotus, has always played complex characters, and she believes that’s part of why audiences project so much onto her.

“I play a lot of characters that make questionable decisions or where it’s complicated to like them. People project some of that onto me,” Sweeney told Cosmopolitan. She explains that her experience with internet criticism began with ‘Euphoria’ and that navigating the internet’s attention today is very different from her early career. Back then, discussions around her were mostly light and focused on her performances. Now, every campaign, post, and interview can be dissected and politicized.

Sweeney points to a turning point in July, during an American Eagle campaign. The tagline Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans was intended as a simple, fun phrase, but it drew backlash from critics who interpreted it in a negative light. Things intensified when her voter registration became public online, fueling conversations about her political beliefs.

Despite the criticism, Sweeney has continued to take bold steps in her career. She helped bring the modern romantic comedy back to theaters with Anyone But You, which earned over $220 million worldwide. She leaned into offscreen speculation with co-star Glen Powell to help the film gain attention.

Her recent projects show her range as an actor. In the thriller The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig, Sweeney starred alongside Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar. The film made nearly $300 million globally and solidified her ability to lead intense, high-stakes stories. She also transformed herself physically for the boxing biopic Christy, portraying 90s champion Christy Martin. Critics praised the performance as raw and transformative, showing she is more than the bombshell image often attached to her.

Looking ahead, Sweeney has several major projects lined up. She is set to star in Netflix’s live-action Gundam adaptation, directed by Jim Mickle and co-starring Noah Centineo. She will also play Kim Novak in the biopic Scandalous! and return for the highly anticipated third season of Euphoria.

“But that was scratching the surface of what I’m dealing with now, with people creating their own narratives that serve their purposes, their headlines, their clickbait,” Sweeney said. She emphasizes that her focus is on the story and the work itself, even when the audience is drawn to political or cultural interpretations of her roles.

Sweeney continues to take risks and choose projects that challenge expectations. Whether she is playing a corporate strategist in a survival thriller or a legendary athlete in a biopic, she is reclaiming control over her image and career. She believes in showing herself fully, while acknowledging that the public decides which version of her they want to believe.

Do you think it’s fair for audiences to assume actors share the traits of the characters they play? Share your thoughts in the comments.