Sidney Sweeney doesn’t associate herself with the nickname “MAGA Barbie.”
The actress has been outspoken about all the controversy surrounding her since her American Eagle Outfitters “Great Jeans” ad was released last July, with some accusing it of being “Nazi propaganda” that glorified her blonde hair and blue eyes.
In an interview with Cosmopolitan published Thursday, Sweeney was asked about being labeled a “MAGA Barbie” by some on the internet, especially after it was revealed that she has been a registered Republican since June 2024, even though she has not directly spoken about her political views.
“I’ve never come here to talk about politics,” she told the magazine. “I’ve always been here to make art, so this isn’t a conversation I want to be at the forefront of.”
“And I think that’s why people want to take it even further and use me as their pawn,” she continued. “But it’s someone assigning something to me, so I can’t control it.”
Mr Sweeney insisted he was not a “hateful” person and said there was “no chance” when it came to addressing political issues about himself.
“I’d say, ‘That’s not true,’ and they’d come at me like, ‘You’re just saying that to make yourself look good,'” she explained.
“I have to continue to be who I am, because I know who I am,” she continued. “I can’t make everyone love me. I know what I stand for.”
The “Euphoria” star said she is “not a political person.”
“I’m involved in the arts. I’m not here to talk about politics,” she stressed. “It’s a field I never even imagined going into. That’s not why I became who I am.”
“I became an actor because I love telling stories, but I don’t believe in hate in any form,” she added. “I believe we should all love each other, respect each other and understand each other.”
Sweeney, 28, said she is in a situation where she doesn’t see everything written about her online because it’s not healthy.
“It’s never comfortable having people tell you what you believe or think, especially when it doesn’t align with you,” she said. “It was a weird thing to have to navigate and digest, because that’s not me.”
“None of that is me, and I have to watch it happen,” she added.
Last month, Sweeney addressed the controversial American Eagle ad, admitting that his initial silence was a mistake.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always trying to bring people together. I’m against hate and division,” she told People magazine. “While my stance has always been to never respond to negative or positive press, I have recently realized that my silence on this issue only widens the gap rather than bridges it.”
Ms Sweeney said she was “surprised” by the response the ad received.
“I did it because I love jeans and I love the brand. I don’t support the opinions of some of the people who have chosen to associate themselves with the campaign,” she insisted. “A lot of people are putting motives and labels on me that aren’t true.”
