Sydney says she paid for fame with something priceless

One of Hollywood’s most in-demand young actresses Sydney Sweeney says her rapid rise to stardom has come with a major personal loss — her privacy.

In an interview with The Times UK, conducted before her recent American Eagle ad controversy, the 27-year-old Euphoria and Madame Web actress reflected on the constant public attention that has reshaped her life.

“Privacy [is] huge,” Sweeney said. “You don’t realize how much that means until you lose it. I see all the time, ‘Oh, they sold themselves, they knew what they were signing up for.’ But 18-year-old me had no idea what she was signing up for.”

The actress described paparazzi outside her home and media scrutiny over her personal life as “crazy” and “not real.” She admitted she’s become more guarded, letting only a few trusted people into her circle.

Controversy over American Eagle campaign
Sweeney’s comments come as she faces backlash over her American Eagle “Good Jeans” campaign, which critics accused of promoting “eugenics” and “White supremacy.”

In a statement defending the actress, American Eagle said: “‘Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans’ 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.”

With her career continuing to soar, Sweeney says the pressure of public life has made her value trust even more. “I’ve always been guarded. Definitely more so now,” she noted.

While her breakout roles have cemented her place in Hollywood, her reflections serve as a reminder of the personal costs many stars face behind the glamour.