Sydney Sweeney’s charm seems to be wearing off fast. Once hailed as Hollywood’s next big thing after Euphoria and Anyone But You, her latest film has completely bombed at the box office. Reports suggest it pulled in barely over a million dollars in its opening weekend, marking one of her weakest performances in recent memory. What makes it worse is the cloud of controversy still hanging over her from earlier this year.
The American Eagle ad campaign titled “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” spiraled into backlash for its tone and wording, with many calling it tone-deaf and racially insensitive. While the brand tried to defend the tagline as wordplay, social media quickly turned it into a PR nightmare. Fans waited for Sydney to address the issue directly, but she chose silence. And now, it seems that silence is costing her.
In a recent interview promoting her film, Sydney was asked about the controversy again. Instead of clearing the air, she brushed it off with what many called an “unbothered” and “superior” attitude, saying she didn’t owe anyone an explanation and that people are “too sensitive these days.” That comment didn’t sit well with the public. What could have been a simple clarification turned into another reason for people to turn away from her.
Her new film, a sports biopic titled Christy, was already a risky bet, and critics are calling it dull and lifeless. Combined with the ongoing fallout from her refusal to apologize or even acknowledge her missteps, audiences seem to have lost interest. On social media, comments under her posts are filled with mentions of the ad, with fans saying they “can’t look at her the same way.”
What’s unfolding here isn’t just about one flop movie. It’s about a public figure underestimating how much perception matters. Sydney’s “I don’t care” persona might work on screen, but off-screen it’s starting to look out of touch. The American Eagle controversy could have been an easily fixable blip, yet her refusal to own up or even show basic accountability has made it a defining part of her image.
As her film continues to sink and critics call it one of the year’s biggest disappointments, people are starting to wonder if Hollywood’s golden girl has lost her shine for good. Sometimes, not saying sorry speaks louder than anything else.
