Has Sydney Sweeney become too toxic for Hollywood? Star suffers box office flop with new film Christy after THAT controversial ad, Zendaya ‘feud’ and backlash over her political views

It has undoubtedly been a turbulent year for Sydney Sweeney.

The 28-year-old actress, known for her role in Euphoria, has faced a lot of public attention recently due to her political opinions. She also went through a breakup after a seven-year relationship and seemed to be excluded by some fellow celebrities at high-profile events.

This year, the situation escalated when it was discovered she was a registered Republican and appeared in an American Eagle jeans commercial that sparked controversy. Some viewers found the ad to be racially insensitive because of a wordplay connecting ‘jeans’ and ‘genes’.

Both of these controversies appear to be very much at odds with most views in woke Hollywood.

She likely tried to shift attention away from the recent focus on her personal life by releasing her new boxing movie, Christy, but it hasn’t been very successful.

According to Box Office Mojo, the movie’s opening weekend numbers, earning a 67% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, were among the 12 worst ever for films released in over 2000 theaters.

So, has Sydney become too toxic for Hollywood? And what is next for the star?

Box office flop

Oh my gosh, you guys, the movie with Jessica Sweeney as Christy Martin finally hit theaters! It was in over 2,000 places – 2,011, to be exact! And get this, each theater made an average of $649! I checked The Wrap myself, so it’s totally legit. It’s already proving everyone who doubted it wrong, and I knew it would! I’m going to see it again this weekend, obviously.

The movie’s opening weekend was among the 12 worst of all time for films released in over 2,000 theaters, according to Box Office Mojo. It received a 67% rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of Sunday evening.

Three of the films listed below came out within the first fourteen months of the COVID-19 pandemic, starting in March 2020 – a period when movie theaters faced major financial challenges due to public health restrictions.

While discussing the film on Friday, Sweeney revealed she became so dedicated to her character, Martin, that she suffered several injuries during production, including a bloody nose and a concussion.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always fascinated by behind-the-scenes stories, and I recently learned how the cast approached the action sequences in their latest film. The Emmy-nominated actress shared with The Sun that they really collaborated to make those fight scenes believable and exciting!

‘The girls and all the fights you see are real,’ the Spokane, Washington-born star said.

Sweeney explained that when he first met the team, he challenged them, saying, ‘I want honest, critical feedback – don’t hold back. And I’m open to receiving that same feedback myself.’

She explained that the fights weren’t just for show. They were genuinely physical, with real impacts – people were getting knocked out and suffering injuries like bloody noses. She even sustained a concussion during one of them; they were truly fighting.

Each day on set, I was inspired by the dedication and passion of the entire crew,” Sweeney shared. “I felt like I was fighting alongside a group of women who quickly became my family.

We pushed ourselves to the absolute limit in training, and then gave it everything we had, performing with passion right there in the ring.

Sweeney praised Martin, explaining that he motivated everyone involved in the film to be their best selves.

Honestly, her story just lit a fire in me – it made me want to fight for myself and every woman who’s ever been shut down. And the movie? Oh my god, the movie! It was just… everything. It was heartbreaking, but also so uplifting and strong, and just… beautiful. It really stayed with me.

Jeans controversy and MAGA links

Christy’s new movie isn’t performing well at the box office, and this comes just four months after she faced criticism due to an American Eagle ad campaign that mentioned her genetic makeup.

The brand’s fall ad campaign featured the actress and used the slogan, ‘Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.’

Traits like hair color, personality, and eye color are often inherited from parents through genes. In a video, Sweeney jokingly stated, ‘My genes are blue.’

After the ad was released, some people criticized it for using subtle, racially insensitive messaging. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump publicly backed the actress and the company behind the ad.

Sweeney recently told GQ she was surprised by how much attention the scandal received, even reaching the White House.

Sweeney shared that she recently appeared in a jeans advertisement. She admitted the public’s reaction was unexpected, but she personally loves wearing jeans.

She added, ‘All I wear are jeans. I’m literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life.’

The brand faced criticism for using phrases like ‘good genes’ and ‘genetic superiority,’ which some people said mirrored the language of eugenics and appealed to extremist groups online, particularly those on the right and associated with white nationalism.

Critics claimed the advertisement was overly suggestive and designed to appeal primarily to men, reminding some of the controversial 1980 Calvin Klein commercial featuring a young Brooke Shields, who famously asked, ‘What comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.’

In August, American Eagle stood by its advertisement, emphasizing that it was ‘always about the jeans—her jeans, her story.’

The disagreement continued to escalate, particularly after Trump’s statements turned the campaign into a more politically charged issue.

The issue arose a few years after she shared photos from her mother’s birthday party, where some guests were wearing hats inspired by Donald Trump’s campaign slogan, ‘Make America Great Again.’

She claimed it began as a harmless get-together that unexpectedly became a major political issue.

Sydney has been vocal about her support for President Trump and is a proud Republican voter.

Zendaya ‘feud’

They grew up together on the set of the dark TV teen drama Euphoria.

But it seems that is where the connection between Hollywood stars Sweeney and Zendaya ends.

Last week, The Mail on Sunday reported that the two are engaged in a serious and hostile disagreement, to the point where they are avoiding each other at public appearances.

Their rift is said to be caused by their starkly different political views.

Sweeney, 28, has been vocal about her support for President Trump and is a proud Republican voter.

She was also criticised for starring in the American Eagle jeans advert.

Zendaya, 29, is said to have been upset by her co-star’s views.

Sources say that Sydney Sweeney is reportedly not participating in interviews or promotional events for the third season of Euphoria, now that filming has wrapped up earlier this month.

According to a source, Zendaya is hesitant to participate because of potential backlash. Simply appearing with Sydney on the red carpet could be interpreted as an endorsement of Sydney’s controversial political views and her unwillingness to apologize for a racially insensitive advertisement.

The pair were once close friends with Sweeney affectionately referring to her co-star as ‘Z’.

Zendaya has been outspoken in her opposition to Trump.

In 2020, she posted on Instagram about voting rights, and included the phrase ‘Vote this MF out,’ which was widely understood as a call to vote against the President.

Aimee Lou Wood backlash

Aimee Lou Wood publicly criticized her “The White Lotus” co-star, Sydney, after Sydney spoke out about the ad that caused controversy last week.

As a huge fan of Sydney Sweeney, I was so relieved to see her address all the negativity she’s been getting. It meant a lot when Misan Harriman, a photographer I admire, shared a clip of her interview where she just seemed to shrug it all off – it felt like she was finally taking control of the narrative, and honestly, it was really empowering to watch.

After sharing a clip of his GQ interview on Instagram, the British photographer – originally from Nigeria and known for his work with celebrities like Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Rihanna, and Tom Cruise – publicly criticized Sydney’s statements and said she hadn’t recognized the damage caused by the campaign earlier this year.

He asked that, assuming the person doesn’t hold white supremacist views, they express their dismay at how the campaign was promoted and praised by people who openly support racist and eugenicist beliefs.

Honestly, I’m just so upset that you guys didn’t even acknowledge how much your recent jeans ad hurt Black people. It wasn’t subtle at all – the whole thing implied that some genetics are just better than others, and that wordplay was so obvious! It felt like you were practically giving a thumbs-up to racist ideas, and frankly, they loved it. It’s just… disappointing that you didn’t see how damaging it was.

If you didn’t realize it at the time, you understand now, and it’s important. This isn’t the right one!

Aimee, known for her role as the cheerful Chelsea in the third season of The White Lotus, responded to Misan’s post with a green sick-face emoji.

Her post quickly gained over a thousand likes and received many supportive comments from fans who praised her position.

‘You’re a real one, Aimee Lou Wood!’ wrote one follower, while another added: ‘Clock it sis!’

Seriously, everyone was flooding the comments with hearts and clapping hands! It was amazing to see so many people celebrating her for finally saying what needed to be said. I mean, she’s incredible, and it was just so good to see everyone else recognize that too!

I’ve been a huge fan of Misan’s work for years. He’s truly one of the most talented photographers and filmmakers in the UK. It was incredible to see him make history as the first Black photographer to shoot a cover for British Vogue! And honestly, his photos of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – especially that beautiful pregnancy announcement in 2021 – were just iconic. Everyone was sharing them, and for good reason – they were stunning.

This artist, originally from Nigeria, is also recognized for speaking out on important issues and for his impactful photos and videos of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in London.

He’s spoken out against former President Trump’s statements about race and is a strong supporter of increasing diversity and representation in creative fields.

Aimee Lou Wood, known for her role as Aimee Gibbs in the popular Netflix series Sex Education, has connections to Sydney through her work.

In addition to her role in The White Lotus, Aimee tried out for the part of Cassie Carpenter in the HBO series Euphoria, but Sydney ultimately landed the role.

Painful GQ interview

Sydney was quizzed about the American Eagle ad during a recent interview with GQ.

Her decision not to apologize for the controversial statements resonated with supporters on the right, including those in the MAGA movement, but sparked criticism from those on the left.

‘I did a jean ad. The reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans.

She admitted she only wears jeans, explaining she lives in a jeans and t-shirt combination daily, and didn’t seem to mind any criticism about it.

Asked about Donald Trump’s positive comment on the ad, Sweeney remained calm and avoided directly answering the question. She simply expressed surprise at the amount of attention it received and emphasized her continued focus on her work.

It felt really strange and unreal. I’d experienced similar feelings before, but I hadn’t really thought about them consciously – or anything else, really. I just instinctively put my phone down. I was busy filming ‘Euphoria’ at the time, so my mind was elsewhere.

When asked about accusations that the advertisement promoted the idea of ‘genetic superiority,’ Sweeney responded simply, ‘I’m confident people will listen when I’m ready to address something.’

People felt she missed an opportunity to apologize for her previous statements, or at the very least, explain that she doesn’t hold racist beliefs.

Romance controversy

Sydney recently revealed her method for ignoring distractions, shortly after being spotted in a heated argument with her former partner, Jonathan Davino.

Jonathan, age 42, and Sydney were a couple from 2018 until they split up earlier this year.

Recently, she was spotted getting into Jonathan’s car after a dinner with friends in Santa Monica.

Their conversation became very heated, and she began yelling at him, saying, “I don’t believe you. Please just leave me alone.”

Despite all the focus on her personal life, including recent rumors about a relationship with Scooter Braun, 42, she’s spoken about how she deals with the constant public attention.

I know myself, and the people who are important to me – my friends and family – know me too,” the Euphoria star shared with Extra.

People were surprised to see Sydney recently getting into a car with her former fiancé in Los Angeles.

According to the Daily Mail, she recently had a private dinner with friends at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica. They ate in a secluded part of the restaurant and watched the deciding game of the World Series between the Dodgers and Blue Jays.

According to a source, the private dining area felt cozy and comfortable on Saturday night. The actress seemed happy and lively, enjoying conversation and laughter throughout the evening.

Shortly after, she was spotted getting into a car driven by 42-year-old Davino. Photos showed the Emmy-nominated actress lowering her head in the passenger seat while Davino drove.

However, their friendly behavior didn’t last long. According to TMZ, the celebrity eventually yelled, ‘I don’t believe you. Please leave me alone!’

The sighting came after several cosy outings with Scooter Braun.

Sweeney and Davino were together for several years and even got engaged in early 2022, but they generally preferred to keep their relationship out of the public eye.

It’s currently unclear if they’re getting back together or if they’ve just stayed good friends.

Last month, a source told The Sun that she was considering becoming more serious with Braun.

The insider claimed the pair are now looking to move into together just months after meeting.

The 44-year-old actress and record executive reportedly became close over the summer at the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez in Italy, and they’ve been spending a lot of time together ever since.

They said the stars were like ‘teenage lovers’ who are constantly in contact with one another.

My friend mentioned that even when they’re apart, they’re constantly connected – always calling, video chatting, or texting each other.

Another added: ‘They are also planning on moving in together in the next couple of months.’

According to a source, the couple plans to take their relationship to the next stage either before the end of this year or early in 2026.

What’s next for Sydney?

In 2026 Sydney will no doubt be busy promoting season three of Euphoria with the rest of the cast.

She will also soon star in The Housemaid alongside Amanda Seyfried which is released in December.

Aside from projects already announced, her plans for 2026 are currently unknown, but she’s expected to have more work coming up.

There’s also a possibility she could play a Bond girl in the future, especially after being seen at Jeff Bezos’ wedding this summer.

Okay, so you will NOT believe this! Amazon just bought James Bond – all the rights! – for almost £800 million! I’m still reeling! And get this – they’ve already said Denis Villeneuve, the guy who did Dune, is going to direct the next 007 movie! I mean, seriously?! Villeneuve and Bond? It’s a match made in cinematic heaven, and I’m already counting down the days!

Sources say he’s been actively campaigning for the actress to play the female lead alongside James Bond, and he’s also invested a significant amount of money in her new lingerie line.

The rumors gained more attention after the actress from The White Lotus was seen at Jeff Bezos’s wedding to Lauren Sanchez in Venice in June.

When asked about the rumors in an interview with Variety magazine, she seemed hesitant to share much.

“I’m not sure,” she admitted after a moment. “I don’t really know all the gossip about the next Bond film, but I’ve always loved the series, and I’m really interested to see where they take it. It would have to be a great script, though.”

The actress then added, perhaps only half in jest: ‘I think I’d have more fun as James Bond.’

Okay, so I’m hearing some exciting buzz about the next James Bond! From what I understand, Sydney Sweeney is currently the frontrunner for the role. A source close to the production tells me that director Denis Villeneuve is incredibly impressed with her talent and believes she’ll really resonate with a younger audience, which is key for bringing a fresh, modern feel to the Bond franchise. It’s a smart move – she’s got that captivating quality that will draw in a whole new generation of fans!

They’ve spent a lot of time together, and he’s always been impressed by her quick success. She’s also physically capable and graceful, fitting the mold of classic Bond heroines.

Jeff and MacKenzie Scott have reportedly provided initial funding for a new private equity venture that will help Sweeney start a lingerie company in the near future.

Let me tell you, this has been a real passion project for her. I’m hearing it’s something she’s poured her heart and soul into for the past year, and it’s finally coming to fruition. It’s been a long journey, but she’s incredibly proud of what she’s accomplished.

The lingerie line is being backed by Ben Schwerin, a partner at private equity firm Coatue.

Bezos and Michael Dell recently invested £770 million in the company through their Coatue Innovation Fund.

Even though Amazon now owns the James Bond film series, they haven’t yet chosen an actor to take over the role from Daniel Craig, who played 007 from 2008 to 2021.

2025-11-10 14:11