Sydney Sweeney, the Euphoria actress, has finally spoken out about the white nationalist accusations she has been facing since August. On Friday, November 11, 2022, the 25-year-old said the dispute equates to a “wildfire” in a cover interview for Britain’s GQ’s 25th Men of the Year edition. She said, “
“Honestly, I don’t think what I say will improve discourse. It has turned into a wildfire and I can’t say anything to get it back on track.”
Sydney Sweeney got a reaction in August after uploading a series of photos from her mother’s 60th birthday. Several in attendance wore red hats marked “Make 60 Great Again,” inspired by the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) caps used by conservative, far-right Donald Trump supporters. One of the guests also wore what appeared to be a Blue Lives Matter shirt. In particular, in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, the term originated to denote support for police officers. Trent Sweeney, Sweeney’s brother, also shared photos from the party with people wearing the controversial headgear.
The photos sparked widespread debate, with many guessing about the actress and her family’s political views and condemning her for it. Sydney Sweeney grew up in Spokane County, Washington, about 20 miles from the Idaho border. When she initially learned of the internet criticism leveled at her after the incident, she said, “This is insane.” She stated that this was not her goal, and she was stunned that a simple celebration of her mother’s milestone birthday had turned into an outrageous political statement.
“My family doesn’t understand me,” reveals Sydney Sweeney.
After the birthday tweets, Sydney Sweeney’s family was under investigation and the actress faced a lot of abuse from fans. Netizens stated that as a prominent person, Sweeney would have to face her family’s actions and confront the white supremacist connotations of her outfit choice. The actress made no more comments than admitting that she feels that nothing she says can help the discourse and get it back on track. The White Lotus actress was honest about her dissatisfaction with living in an “intermediate position” in the GQ interview, claiming that her relatives and friends in the region did not understand her or her world.
Sweeney explained:
“My family no longer understands me or the environment I am in when I get home. But in my business, my home, and the location where I’m rooted is significantly different from how other people live.”
Sydney Sweeney grew up in northern Idaho, which is largely rural. She moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as an actress. She went on to say she was in an “intermediate situation” where “neither side understands me.” Sydney Sweeney said in the same interview that her relatives were “mainly Rues”, a reference to her Euphoria counterpart Zendaya’s character, who has a history of drug abuse.
The Handmaid’s Tale actress claimed that watching her relatives, aunts and uncles become addicted and that the effects it has on the community has discouraged her from trying drugs or alcohol. Sydney Sweeney is candid about her gratitude for her family, especially her mother’s support throughout her career. In an August interview with the Los Angeles Times, she noted that her parents’ support was crucial to her acting career and that they “gave up everything they knew” to pursue her ambitions, referring to their migration to Los Angeles.
She continued and said:
“I had no contacts. I didn’t come from a wealthy family… but I had parents who believed in me no matter what.”
Sydney Sweeney is most famous for her appearance in HBO’s Euphoria as Cassie Howard.
