HOLLYWOOD
Sydney Sweeney Draws a Clear Line Between Art and Politics
The acclaimed actress says her focus remains on storytelling, not political discourse
Sydney Sweeney has never shied away from intense roles or public scrutiny, but when it comes to politics, the actress is firm: it’s not a conversation she plans to lead—now or ever.
In a candid new interview with Cosmopolitan, published Thursday as part of her latest cover story, the Euphoria and The Housemaid star made it clear that she does not intend to publicly discuss her personal political views. For Sweeney, the boundary is intentional and deeply tied to why she entered the industry in the first place.
“I’m not a political person,” Sweeney told the magazine. “I’m in the arts. I’m not here to speak on politics.”
The 28-year-old actress emphasized that her purpose has always been rooted in storytelling rather than advocacy. “That’s not an area I’ve ever even imagined getting into,” she said. “It’s not why I became who I am. I became an actor because I like to tell stories.” While distancing herself from political commentary, Sweeney was clear about her personal values, adding, “I don’t believe in hate in any form. I believe we should all love each other and have respect and understanding for one another.”
Despite the increasingly polarized cultural and political climate, Sweeney does not foresee her stance changing. Known for standout performances in The White Lotus, Euphoria, and a growing slate of film projects, she reiterated that her role is to create art—not to serve as a political spokesperson.
“I’ve never been here to talk about politics,” she explained. “I’ve always been here to make art, so this is just not a conversation I want to be at the forefront of.” She added that her refusal to engage has, paradoxically, made her a target for speculation. “Because of that, people want to take it even further and use me as their own pawn. But it’s somebody else assigning something to me, and I can’t control that.”
Sweeney’s comments arrive in the context of past controversies that have thrust her into political and cultural debates regardless of her intentions. Last year, she appeared in an American Eagle advertising campaign featuring the slogan “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.” The campaign sparked backlash from some critics, who accused it of promoting eugenics and white supremacy, while others criticized its overtly sexualized imagery.
At the time, Sweeney largely remained silent. However, she later told PEOPLE in December that she was “honestly surprised by the reaction.”
“I did it because I love the jeans and love the brand,” she said, addressing the controversy. While she is reportedly a registered Republican, Sweeney stressed that she did not endorse the interpretations some attached to the campaign. “I don’t support the views some people chose to connect to the campaign. Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just aren’t true.”
Speaking again to Cosmopolitan, Sweeney reflected on how unsettling it has been to watch others project beliefs onto her that do not align with who she is. “It’s definitely not a comfortable thing to have people saying what you believe or think, especially when that doesn’t align with you,” she said. “It’s been a weird thing having to navigate and digest, because it’s not me. None of it is me.”
She also acknowledged the toll that constant online commentary has taken on her well-being. While she remains aware of public conversations, she is increasingly stepping back for the sake of her mental health. “I’m online and I see things, but I’m slowly pulling myself away,” Sweeney said. “It’s definitely gone to a level where it’s just not healthy for me to digest it all.”
For Sydney Sweeney, the message is consistent and deliberate: her platform is built on performance, not politics. As her career continues to rise, she remains committed to leading with kindness, protecting her peace, and letting her work—not her political views—define her public identity.
