Sydney Sweeney responds to being dubbed 'MAGA Barbie' online: 'I can’t control that'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Sydney Sweeney is pushing back against online labels and political speculation after being repeatedly dubbed “MAGA Barbie” across social media. The actress addressed the rumors in a new interview while promoting her lingerie brand, making it clear she does not want politics to define her public image.
Speaking to Cosmopolitan in an interview published on Thursday, January 29, the 28-year-old actress said the political narratives attached to her name were never her doing. Instead, she believes her decision to stay quiet has allowed others to project their own ideas onto her.
“I've never been here to talk about politics,” Sweeney said. “I’ve always been here to make art, so this is just not a conversation I want to be at the forefront of.”
Sydney Sweeney says silence led others to define her views
Sweeney, best known for her roles in ‘Euphoria’ and ‘The Housemaid’, explained that her refusal to engage in political discourse has made her an easy target for online assumptions.
“And I think because of that, people want to take it even further and use me as their own pawn,” she said. “But it's somebody else assigning something to me, and I can’t control that.”
The actress added that the labels circulating online do not reflect her personal beliefs. “I don’t support the views some people chose to connect to the campaign,” Sweeney said. “Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just aren’t true.”
Sydney Sweeney stresses she stands against hate and division
While Sweeney has largely avoided addressing rumors in the past, she said remaining silent has only made matters worse. She admitted that ignoring both praise and criticism may have unintentionally widened the divide online.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always trying to bring people together,” she said. “I’m against hate and divisiveness.”
Sweeney added that her silence allowed others to speak for her. “In the past my stance has been to never respond to negative or positive press, but recently I have come to realize that my silence regarding this issue has only widened the divide, not closed it.”
She said she hopes the new year encourages more understanding. “So I hope this new year brings more focus on what connects us instead of what divides us.”
Focus remains on art and business, not political identity
The comments came as Sweeney promoted the launch of her lingerie line, SYRN, a project she said reflects her creative independence rather than any political stance. Throughout the interview, the actress repeatedly returned to the idea that her work should speak louder than speculation.
“I know what I stand for,” Sweeney said, emphasizing that she does not want her name turned into a political symbol.
