Sydney Sweeney, the multiple Emmy-nominated actress, has recently responded to the criticism surrounding her Dr. Squatch soap line, which included a limited edition product infused with her own bathwater. While she remains silent on other ongoing discussions, Sweeney is aware of the public’s feedback regarding her endorsements, including the bathwater soap controversy.
Unexpected Audience Response to Bathwater Bliss
The soap, named Bathwater Bliss, was primarily targeted toward men, yet Sweeney noticed that most of the responses came from women. Talking with the Wall Street Journal, she said,
I think it’s important to have a finger on the pulse of what people are saying, because everything is a conversation with the audience,
—Sydney Sweeney, actress.
She found this gender difference in reactions intriguing, especially when compared to the reception of a similar cultural moment involving her Euphoria co-star Jacob Elordi. Following a scene in Saltburn in which Barry Keoghan’s character Oliver drinks the bathwater of Elordi’s character Felix, bathwater-themed products such as Jacob Elordi-scented candles quickly gained popularity.
Sweeney pointed out the contrast between reactions to her soap and these other products, stating,
They all loved the idea of Jacob Elordi’s bathwater,
—Sydney Sweeney, actress.
Earlier Controversy over American Eagle Advertisement
This conversation emerges after earlier criticism faced by Sweeney regarding her American Eagle commercial, described by some as problematic. In the ad, Sweeney praises her “good jeans” with a wordplay on “genes.” She says,
genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue.
—Sydney Sweeney, actress.
Some viewers interpreted this message as an inadvertent promotion of eugenics, a historically harmful practice aimed at improving the human race through selective breeding. Critics argued that the campaign’s imagery and wording echoed problematic ideas tied to discrimination against marginalized communities within the United States.
Significance and Future Implications for Celebrity Endorsements
Sydney Sweeney’s experience highlights the complexities celebrities face when combining personal branding with product endorsements. The differing reactions to Bathwater Bliss and other bathwater-related merchandise underscore how various audience groups interpret such marketing efforts. Given the unexpected backlash from certain demographics and past advertising controversies, future endorsement projects may require greater sensitivity to public perception and cultural context.
As public conversations around celebrity influence, branding, and social responsibility continue to evolve, the responses to Sweeney’s endorsements demonstrate how audiences actively engage with and critique promotional content in today’s media landscape.
