Sydney Sweeney Defends Bathwater Soap, Draws Parallel to Jacob Elordi’s Viral Fame

Hollywood star embraces controversy with bold Dr. Squatch collaboration, sparking debate on celebrity branding and unconventional marketing.

Sydney Sweeney is no stranger to turning heads—on screen and in business. The Emmy-nominated actress, best known for her role in HBO’s Euphoria, has once again stirred conversation with her unconventional partnership with men’s hygiene brand Dr. Squatch.

In May 2024, Sweeney launched Sydney’s Bathwater Bliss, a bar soap reportedly infused with her used bathwater. The product followed her earlier suggestive body wash commercial with the brand, cementing her reputation for provocative, conversation-starting campaigns.

“When your fans start asking for your bathwater, you can either ignore it or turn it into a bar of Dr. Squatch soap,” Sweeney explained in a press release at the time. “It’s weird in the best way, and I love that we created something that’s not just unforgettable, it actually smells incredible.”

Mixed reactions and cultural parallels

The soap’s sensual marketing sparked polarized reactions across social media. Some users dismissed it as a mere gimmick, while others raised concerns about cleanliness. Interestingly, Sweeney revealed in a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal that criticism came largely from women.

“It was mainly the girls making comments about it, which I thought was really interesting,” she reflected. “They all loved the idea of Jacob Elordi’s bathwater.”

Her comparison to co-star Jacob Elordi is telling. Elordi, who starred alongside Barry Keoghan in the 2023 dark comedy Saltburn, became an internet sex symbol after a notorious scene in which Keoghan’s character drank bathwater laced with Elordi’s bodily fluids. The moment went viral, inspiring everything from memes to Elordi-inspired bathwater-scented candles—though the actor had no involvement in their creation.

A calculated business move

For Sweeney, the bold soap collaboration isn’t just about shock value. It’s part of a larger business strategy that embraces controversy to fuel attention. Her marketing choices—ranging from high-profile ad campaigns to eyebrow-raising product tie-ins—have kept her at the forefront of cultural conversation.

As Sweeney continues to navigate both Hollywood stardom and entrepreneurial ventures, her bathwater soap stands as a testament to her willingness to blur the lines between celebrity, commerce, and cultural commentary.