Sydney Sweeney Juggled a Viral American Eagle Backlash and 16-Hour Euphoria Days — Here's How

Sydney Sweeney is doing the thing where every corner of the internet is talking about her at once: a revived ad controversy, a political shout-out she did not ask for, a rumored chill in the Euphoria camp, and a very public new romance. So let’s unpack the whole swirl.

The American Eagle ad blowback, in her words

In a new GQ chat, Sweeney was asked about the American Eagle spot that got dug up earlier this year and set off a round of online outrage. Her response was basically, relax, it’s jeans.

"I did a jean ad. The reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans."

She also said Donald Trump weighing in on her behalf felt surreal. And if she seemed unbothered while the discourse machine was churning, that’s because she was buried on set. According to Sweeney, she’s been pulling 16-hour days on Euphoria, rarely brings her phone to work, and mostly goes home and crashes, which meant she missed a lot of the storm in real time.

Zendaya rumored to step back from Euphoria Season 3 promo

Here’s the part that could get messy, emphasis on could. The Daily Mail claims Zendaya is distancing herself from Sweeney for Season 3 press, allegedly turning down media requests. The story frames it as Zendaya being uncomfortable with the controversy orbiting Sweeney — including the ad critics called racist and Sweeney’s non-apology — especially given Zendaya’s long-standing opposition to Trump.

There’s even an unnamed source saying it would be a bad look for Zendaya to stand next to Sweeney on a red carpet right now. None of this is confirmed by either actress, so treat it like what it is: a tabloid report without on-the-record receipts.

Meanwhile in New York: Sweeney and Scooter Braun go public(ish)

On the personal front, Sweeney was spotted getting cozy with Scooter Braun in Manhattan. The two were seen inside a private igloo at Bryant Park’s Winter Village ahead of its official opening, hanging with friends. Earlier that same day, Sweeney did Good Morning America to plug her new movie, Christy. Later, she and Braun were seen sharing a quiet moment on a rock in Central Park. Page Six has had them linked since September after both attended Jeff Bezos’ wedding, and its sources say the relationship is now full throttle.

• Quick timeline: Morning GMA for Christy, afternoon/evening igloo at Bryant Park’s Winter Village before it opened, later an intimate Central Park stop — all while GQ drops her take on the American Eagle backlash, and the Zendaya promo-rift chatter bubbles via the Daily Mail.

File this whole thing under: the kind of Hollywood week where press, politics, and personal life all collide. If Zendaya really is sitting out Euphoria promo, we’ll know soon enough. Until then, Sweeney’s keeping her head down on set — and apparently finding time for date night in between those 16-hour days.