Comedian Matt Rife has expressed confusion and frustration over the intense online backlash aimed at actress Sydney Sweeney. On Friday, August 22, Rife took to the social media platform X to defend Sweeney, highlighting that many critics unfairly target her without cause. He emphasized the toxic nature of online discourse and warned that people often distort statements to provoke conflict.
I keep seeing people mad at Sydney Sweeney for noooothing,
Rife wrote via X on Friday, August 22.
She’s learning that the internet is full of absolute garbage losers who will twist anything you say into a c***y misinterpretation. People are awful.
—Matt Rife, Comedian
Sydney Sweeney Addresses the Controversy Around Her Product Endorsements
Sweeney’s comments came in response to criticism over her endorsement of a soap product that reportedly contained her own bathwater. In an interview with WSJ. Magazine earlier this week, the 27-year-old actress highlighted that she remains attentive to public opinion, particularly noting that much of the debate has centered around young female fans. She compared their reactions to the more enthusiastic responses surrounding her fellow actor Jacob Elordi’s bathwater-themed endorsement.
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,
Sweeney explained.
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.
—Sydney Sweeney, Actress
Connections to Popular Culture and Brand Campaigns Stir Public Reaction
Sweeney’s reference to Elordi ties back to a scene from the 2023 film Saltburn, where actor Barry Keoghan’s character consumes the bathwater of Elordi’s character—an image that quickly went viral. Fans even began crafting homemade candles inspired by this on-screen moment, which significantly boosted the bathwater endorsement’s profile.
In addition to the bathwater soap, Sweeney has been involved in another advertising campaign that has drawn controversy. Recently appointed as the face of American Eagle’s denim line, Sweeney appeared in ads featuring the slogan “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes.” Critics accused the tagline of alluding to eugenics, a discredited theory concerning genetic enhancement in humans.
A source close to Sweeney told Us Weekly that she believes the controversy has been exaggerated and that she prefers to focus on her professional commitments, including filming the third season of HBO’s hit series Euphoria with her castmates.
Sydney thinks this whole thing has been blown out of proportion,
the source shared.
She’s focusing her energy on work, including being back on set with her Euphoria family.
—Us Weekly source
Brand and Family Responses to the Advertising Controversy
While Sweeney has not publicly commented on the backlash to the American Eagle campaign, the retail brand released a statement clarifying the intent behind its messaging. The company emphasized that the slogan was meant to celebrate the jeans themselves and the individuality of those who wear them.
‘Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans’ is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story,
the retailer clarified.
We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.
—American Eagle representative
Sweeney’s brother even jokingly referenced the “good jeans” phrase in response to the controversy, further illustrating the family’s lighthearted approach amid the online uproar.
Matt Rife’s Own Controversy Colors the Defense
Matt Rife’s support of Sydney Sweeney comes as he faces his own public criticism. After starring in an ad campaign for e.l.f. Cosmetics, Rife was challenged due to jokes he made about domestic violence in an earlier 2023 Netflix special. The comedian issued an apology following the backlash.
The beauty brand also commented on the situation, explaining that their campaign aimed to humorously highlight issues related to beauty injustice but recognized that it missed the mark with some audiences.
You know us, we’re always listening and we’ve heard you,
the company acknowledged in a statement on August 13.
This campaign aimed to humorously spotlight beauty injustice. We understand we missed the mark with people we care about in our e.l.f. community. While e.l.f.ino & Schmarnes closes today, we’ll continue to make the case against overpriced beauty.
—e.l.f. Cosmetics representative
As of now, Rife has not publicly addressed the controversy surrounding the e.l.f. ad.
Ongoing Impact and What to Expect Next
The ongoing back-and-forth between Sydney Sweeney and her critics highlights the harsh realities of social media scrutiny for celebrities today. With both Sweeney and Rife navigating public backlash for different but related reasons, their exchanges shed light on how personalities manage reputation and audience engagement in a highly reactive environment.
As Sweeney continues filming the highly anticipated third season of Euphoria and maintains her public presence through brand partnerships, her strategies for addressing criticism and sustaining her career will likely remain under the microscope. Meanwhile, Rife’s public defense may influence how fans perceive both entertainers amid the controversies surrounding their endorsements and humor.
