Sydney Sweeney has publicly addressed the mounting criticism surrounding her career, making a stylish appearance just days after her latest film, Christy, dramatically underperformed at the box office.
A Confident Appearance Amidst the Storm
The 28-year-old actress was photographed at the Deadline Contenders Film event in Los Angeles on Saturday, held at the Directors Guild of America. Sweeney showcased a bold fashion sense, wearing a long-sleeved minidress with a plaid pattern featuring subtle white and blue lines. She layered this with a light blue gingham button-down shirt featuring an oversized pointed collar. Her ensemble was completed with a pair of striking pointed red heels, and her blonde hair was styled with soft curls.
While at the event, Sweeney participated in a panel discussion for the very film that has become the centre of recent controversy. Her new movie, Christy, in which she portrays Hall of Fame boxer Christy Martin, earned a meagre $1.3 million over its opening weekend, a significant commercial disappointment.
Navigating Political and Public Relations Turbulence
The film's poor performance is not the only challenge Sweeney currently faces. She finds herself at the heart of an escalating public relations storm, partly sparked by her perceived MAGA political leanings. This situation has been exacerbated by her relationship with divisive record executive Scooter Braun and her subsequent involvement in a controversial American Eagle advertising campaign.
Adding to her troubles, fellow celebrities including Ruby Rose and Aimee Lou Wood have taken a public stand against her and her political views. When questioned by GQ about the American Eagle campaign, which some accused of promoting white supremacy through a play on 'good jeans' and 'good genes,' Sweeney notably dodged direct questions. She refused to either defend or condemn the campaign, stating simply, "I did a jean ad. The reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans. I'm literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life."
Future Projects and Reputation Management
The backlash now threatens to impact Sweeney's future projects. Her forthcoming film, The Housemaid, scheduled for a general release in December, is already facing potential boycotts from critics and fans. A new trailer and promotional posters for the film, shared on Instagram, prompted a wave of scathing comments, with many followers vowing only to watch it to support her co-star, Amanda Seyfried.
According to reputation expert Eric Schiffer, who spoke exclusively to the Daily Mail, Sweeney is employing clever PR techniques to manage the mounting backlash. Schiffer explained that her strategy of never apologising has so far helped her scale her relevance and evade significant damage. He stated, "She's evading damage because she never fed the beast: no apology tour, then straight back to work. Hollywood reads heat as currency, and she proved she can take a vicious wallop and survive."
While Schiffer believes Sweeney looks "cancellation-bulletproof right now," he also warns that she should tread carefully. Her current approach of demonstrating "guts with composure" may be selling, but it would be reckless to engage in debates on sensitive topics. For now, her team is banking on her star power and public affinity to see her through this turbulent period.
