Sydney Sweeney has firmly shut down claims that she has undergone plastic surgery or any other cosmetic enhancements.
In an interview with Variety published on Monday, the 28-year-old actress addressed the speculations surrounding her appearance.
“I’ve never gotten anything done,” she said. “I’m absolutely terrified of needles. No tattoos. Nothing.”
The Euphoria star, known for her emotive performances, also expressed her commitment to aging naturally. “I’m going to age gracefully,” she added.
Sydney Sweeney has addressed speculations about her appearance. Credit: Frazer Harrison / Getty
The rumors about Sweeney’s appearance have been a source of amusement for the actress, who said she finds it comical to see “comparison pictures” online.
“I’m like, ‘I’m 12 in that photo.’ Of course, I’m going to look different. I have makeup on now and I’m 15 years older,’” she remarked.
Sweeney's American Eagle campaign sparked backlash. Credit: Michael M. Santiago / Getty
Controversy Surrounding the American Eagle Ad
In addition to the cosmetic rumors, Sweeney’s public image often sparks conversation, from her appearance to the characters she portrays.
Earlier this year, she became the face of a controversial American Eagle ad campaign, which featured the slogan: "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans."
In the now-deleted ad, the actress said: "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My jeans are blue," making a pun between "genes" and "jeans."
The visual, highlighting her blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, quickly caught the attention of online critics, and led many to interpret the ad as having eugenic undertones, associating her physical traits with a troubling idea of genetic superiority.
Credit: Paras Griffin / Getty
Despite the backlash, American Eagle stood by the campaign, clarifying that it was simply a nod to Sweeney’s "great jeans" and her personal story.
For her part, Sweeney didn’t directly address the campaign’s controversy but hinted at the uproar in her Variety interview.
She acknowledged that people often misinterpret her persona, saying: “I play a lot of very divisive characters, and I think that a lot of people think they know me, but they don’t. 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 Handmaid's Tale star added that she hopes to "inspire" other women to "flaunt what they got and feel good because you shouldn’t have to apologize or hide or cover up in any room".