Sydney Sweeney, known for her bold acting choices, is openly embracing her image as a Hollywood sex symbol while emphasizing the importance of self-confidence. In a conversation with Variety published on October 27, the 28-year-old actress spoke about the roles she chooses and the strength she derives from owning her persona.
Owning Bold Roles and Challenging Perceptions
Sweeney discussed how she often portrays polarizing characters and noted that public assumptions about her do not always align with reality. She stated,
“I play a lot of very divisive characters, and I think that a lot of people think they know me, but they don’t,”
followed by,
“So when people think, ‘Ah, she’s a sex symbol,’ or ‘She’s leaning into that,’ I’m like, ‘No, I just feel good and I’m doing it for myself and I feel strong.’”
The actress’s comments appeared to reference the July controversy surrounding her American Eagle campaign, which gained attention for both its candid approach and accompanying criticisms. The campaign highlighted her personal story and featured the slogan celebrating her “great genes,” sparking wider debate about beauty standards and eugenics.
Encouraging Confidence and Authenticity Among Women
Addressing her intentions behind embracing her sexuality publicly, Sweeney expressed a desire to encourage other women to celebrate their bodies unapologetically. She shared,
“I hope that I can inspire other women to be confident and just flaunt what they got and feel good because you shouldn’t have to apologize or hide or cover up in any room.”
Despite the backlash, a source close to Sweeney told Us Weekly that she believes the controversy was exaggerated and is instead focused on advancing her career. American Eagle also responded to the criticism with a statement emphasizing the campaign’s focus on the jeans and celebrating confidence in personal style, noting,
“’Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans’ is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story,”
and affirming,
“We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.”
Openness About Filming Intimate Scenes
Sweeney has been candid about her comfort with sex scenes throughout her career, having performed in productions such as Anyone But You, Euphoria, The Voyeurs, and The Handmaid’s Tale. She explained the misunderstanding that often arises regarding these scenes, saying,
“People forget that I’m playing a character, they think, ‘Oh, she gets naked on screen, she’s a sex symbol,’ and I can’t get past that,”
and added,
“I have no problems with those scenes, and I won’t stop doing them, but I wish there was an easier way to have an open conversation about what we’re assuming about actors in the industry.”
Sweeney also highlighted the safety measures in place during filming, revealing that intimacy coordinators choreograph each scene carefully. She described,
“Sometimes there’s yoga mats that you can put in between each other. And even if you have agreed to something, they ask you on the spot on the day, ‘Did you change your mind? Because you can.’ It’s really nice. I’ve never felt uncomfortable.”
Body Positivity Through Her Characters
The actress credited her role as Cassie in Euphoria for helping her embrace her figure more comfortably. Reflecting on her journey, she said,
“I have weirdly become very confident with my body through Cassie.”
Earlier in October 2023, during an interview with Glamour UK, Sweeney opened up about her past insecurities regarding her chest size. She admitted,
“used to feel uncomfortable about how big my boobs were”
and had even planned a breast reduction upon turning 18. However, her mother Lisa Sweeney advised against the surgery, warning of future regret, an advice Sydney now appreciates. She stated,
“My mom told me, ‘Don’t do it. You’ll regret it in college.’ And I’m so glad I didn’t,”
adding with affection,
“I like them. They’re my best friends.”
The Broader Impact of Sydney Sweeney’s Image
By embracing her identity as a sex symbol while advocating for self-assurance and transparency in the entertainment industry, Sydney Sweeney challenges common narratives surrounding actresses and their on-screen roles. Her willingness to confront controversy and share candid insights contributes to ongoing conversations about confidence, body positivity, and respectful filmmaking practices. As she continues to navigate Hollywood’s complex landscape, her influence is likely to encourage others to find strength in authenticity and reject societal pressures to conform.
