Sydney Sweeney has openly addressed the backlash she received after selling soap made from her used bathwater, revealing that most of the criticism came from women. The Euphoria star shared her thoughts in a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, explaining that the reaction was unexpected given the popularity of a similar product involving actor Jacob Elordi’s bathwater.
Details Behind the Bathwater Soap Collaboration
Earlier this year, Sydney Sweeney partnered with Dr. Squatch, a company known for its “natural manly soap,” to launch a limited-edition bar called Sydney’s Bathwater Bliss. The soap was infused with water from Sweeney’s own bath, a novelty product that attracted considerable attention when it became available in stores in June. Dr. Squatch publicly described the idea as a response to persistent fan requests, and Sweeney confirmed the company had since been acquired by Unilever for $1.5 billion, though she did not disclose if she held any stake in the brand.
Audience Reactions and Gender-Based Criticisms
Reflecting on the online conversation surrounding the soap, Sweeney noted the irony in how women seemed notably critical of her product, despite their positive reception to Elordi’s similar offering. She stated,
“It was mainly the girls making comments about it, which I thought was really interesting. They all loved the idea of Jacob Elordi’s bathwater.”
This observation highlights the gendered nature of the feedback she received and underscores the complexity of public response to celebrity merchandise.
Sweeney’s Approach to Controversies and Public Perception
In the same interview, Sydney chose not to engage in questions about other recent controversies, including her connection to American Eagle’s denim campaign and her attendance at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding. She also declined to discuss personal mentorship in Hollywood, instead expressing a personal philosophy:
“I’ve always said that I look up to the older version of myself. So I’m hoping that whatever I’m doing now, 40-year-old Sydney will be proud of.”
Additionally, she mentioned her portrayal of Cassie in Euphoria remains “crazy.”
The American Eagle Denim Campaign and Its Fallout
Last month, American Eagle launched a new denim advertisement featuring Sweeney with the tagline “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.” The campaign sparked controversy by playing on the homophone “jeans” and “genes,” fueling a cultural debate. Critics on the left accused the campaign of covertly promoting eugenics and white supremacy, while some on the right celebrated it as a symbolic defiance against “woke” culture. The tension surrounding the ad intensified due to the politicization of Sweeney’s appearance, which had been a recurring issue for her, especially from conservative commentators.
Sweeney’s Response to the Political Use of Her Image
Addressing the broader politicization of her looks, Sydney told NME last year,
“There’s not anything I can do.”
She added,
“I think it’s important to be aware of everything and then use that information however I may well. But I’m just being me, that’s all.”
Her statement reflects the uneasy position celebrities often face when their public image becomes a flashpoint for cultural and political debates.
The Larger Impact of Celebrity Endorsements and Public Reaction
The Sydney Sweeney bathwater soap controversy highlights how celebrity merchandise can ignite unexpected controversies, especially when intersecting with gender perceptions and cultural conflicts. Sweeney’s experience underlines the challenges public figures encounter when navigating their brand identities in a highly polarized media environment. Moving forward, how celebrities choose to engage with their audience and address criticism may significantly influence their public standing and business ventures.
