Is Sydney Sweeney's Career Over? Celebrity PR Expert Warns She's 'Overpromoted' and Not Ready for Politics

Sydney Sweeney, best known for her breakout roles in Euphoria and The White Lotus, has found herself at the centre of a growing backlash after reports surfaced confirming she is registered as a Republican voter in Florida.

In a surprising comment, Sweeney has also received a thumbs-up from US President Donald Trump, who recently said that he approved of her controversial American Eagle advertisement, 'if she is a Republican.'

Now, a leading PR figure has warned that the young actress is facing a career-defining moment, one she may not be equipped to handle.

A Career Built on Visibility

At 27, Sweeney is a familiar face not just in film and television, but across a wide range of brand endorsements. From skincare to tech gadgets and even personal hygiene products, her image has become nearly inescapable.

One recent campaign for American Eagle featured her in a denim advert that played on the pun 'great genes' and highlighted her blue eyes, prompting online accusations of promoting outdated and exclusionary ideals of beauty. One viral comment read, 'It's literally giving Nazi propaganda,' while others called for boycotts of the campaign. Critics accused the ad of glorifying whiteness, though there's been no formal response from Sweeney.

However, American Eagle recently responded to the controversy on their Instagram, saying the campaign, 'is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story. We'll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.'

Trump Endorses Sweeney's American Eagle Ad

The situation escalated after Trump, speaking to reporters, responded to news of Sweeney's Republican registration. 'She's a registered Republican? Ooh, now I love her ad,' he said, calling the campaign 'fantastic.'

He followed up with a post on his Truth Social platform, doubling down on his support and claiming, 'Being WOKE is for losers, being Republican is what you want to be.' The reaction was immediate and polarising.

Though Sweeney has not made any public political statements, Trump's endorsement has placed her firmly in the middle of America's volatile culture wars.

PR Veteran Says 'She Hasn't Made It Yet'

Celebrity publicist Mark Borkowski, whose past clients include Joan Rivers and Michael Jackson, expressed concern over the trajectory of Sweeney's career.

Speaking about the dangers of early political association to The Guardian, he said, 'She's become the sort of delicious siren of the Gen Z media. She has got all the echoes of Jayne Mansfield or Marilyn Monroe, but she's totally overpromoted. She's clickbait, and it's the worst idea to declare a political affiliation, especially in the inferno that is American discourse.'

Borkowski also warned that Sweeney's rising profile does not guarantee resilience. 'It's a massive PR risk because she hasn't made it yet. She is not Margot Robbie, she does not have Oscars behind her,' he said.

Silence Might Be the Best Option For Now

So far, Sweeney has chosen not to comment. According to Borkowski, this may be her best option for now. 'Silence in politics is really important now because if you don't, you're going to be exposed by the full weight of the opposition on social media,' he said. 'It'll be carnage. She's a bombshell, but she's not box office yet.'

This caution mirrors the experience of other celebrities who entered political debates early in their careers. While established stars like Taylor Swift have taken clear political stances and weathered backlash, others have found the costs too high, especially in an industry that leans heavily liberal.

Most recently, actress Rachel Zegler was also at the centre of controversy after her comments on the Israel-Palestine war allegedly affected the box office collection of her film Snow White. Although critics also cited various other creative decisions as the reason for its bombing, Zegler's views on Gaza and on the old instalment of Snow White film during their press tour remained a matter of backlash.

Meanwhile, Sweeney's upcoming role in Christy, a biopic about boxer Christy Martin, is already drawing awards buzz.

Furthermore, to assume that Sweeney's career is over is a shot in the dark, as the actress has many upcoming projects lined up on her table. However, industry insiders are watching closely to see whether she issues a statement, stays silent, or allows the news cycle to move on.