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Sydney Sweeney is aware of the “MAGA Barbie” label circulating online about her — but she doesn’t have time for haters or politics.
“I’ve never been here to talk about politics,” Sweeney, 28, told Cosmopolitan in an interview published on Thursday, January 29. “I’ve always been here to make art, so this is just not a conversation I want to be at the forefront of.”
She explained, “And I think because of that, people want to take it even further and use me as their own pawn. But it’s somebody else assigning something to me, and I can’t control that.”
Sweeney has been dubbed “MAGA Barbie” by some on social media as speculation builds about her political affiliations. Following her American Eagle jean campaign controversy in 2025, President Donald Trump said the actress was a registered Republican while praising her for having the “hottest ad out there,” adding fuel to the fire.
Sweeney was raked over the coals after posing for American Eagle’s ad where the tagline was “Sydney Sweeney Knows Good Jeans.” Some social media fans claimed the advertisement was using a play on “jeans” to really mean “genes” and therefore promoted the controversial theory of eugenics. Sweeney and the brand both denied the allegations.
The chatter surrounding Sweeney’s controversial campaign hasn’t died down in all circles but the TV star insisted on Thursday that she’s not interested in speaking about politics or defending herself against the internet’s loudest trolls.
“I’m not a hateful person,” the Euphoria star told the magazine, confessing she hasn’t figured out where the line is for her and when to speak out fully.
Sydney Sweeney is embracing her inner femme fatale. Sweeney, 28, opened up about the acting roles she accepts and being cast as one of Hollywood’s leading bombshells while chatting with Variety in an interview published on Monday, October 27. “I play a lot of very divisive characters, and I think that a lot of people […]
Sweeney noted, “If I say, ‘That’s not true,’ they’ll come at me like, ‘You’re just saying that to look better.’ There’s no winning. There’s never any winning.”
The Anyone But You actress added, “I just have to continue being who I am, because I know who I am. I can’t make everyone love me. I know what I stand for.”
When asked whether Sweeney would ever let fans know her personal thoughts on politics, she said “no,” once again saying, “I’m not a political person. I’m in the arts. I’m not here to speak on politics.”
Sweeney reiterated that politics are not her cup of tea, telling the magazine, “That’s not an area I’ve ever even imagined getting into. It’s not why I became who I am.”
Sydney Sweeney. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for SCAD
She continued, “I became an actor because I like to tell stories, but I don’t believe in hate in any form. I believe we should all love each other and have respect and understanding for one another.”
Sweeney’s openness with the magazine has caused backlash among some — seemingly confirming the actress’ fears that speaking out about politics, even if it was to say she didn’t want to discuss it, is a no-win situation.
“This is soooo tone deaf, especially in this political climate right now, yikes Cosmo,” one user wrote in the comments section of the magazine’s post about Sweeney addressing the “MAGA Barbie” nickname.
Sydney Sweeney is addressing the backlash she received over her controversial American Eagle jeans campaign. “I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans,” the Christy star, 28, said in an interview with GQ published on Tuesday, November 4. “All I wear are jeans. I’m literally in […]
A separate user replied, “Cosmo is not reading the room rn,” while a third person wrote back, “Embarrassing in all the ways.”
Sweeney, for her part, told Cosmopolitan that the one narrative she wants the “internet to retire” is “that I’m a hateful person.”
Sweeney also spoke more about the American Eagle drama, telling the outlet, “Those aren’t my values.” Still, she confessed “it’s been a weird thing having to navigate and digest, because it’s not me.”
“None of it is me. And I’m having to watch it happen. I’m online and I see things, but I’m slowly pulling myself away,” she shared. “It’s definitely gone to a level where it’s just not healthy for me to digest it all.”
The Syrn lingerie founder concluded, “I’ve always led with love. I’ve always believed that love is love in every single form. You should be kind to whoever you meet.”
