Sydney Sweeney says she won't 'apologise' for being a 'sex symbol' while hitting back at criticism

While Euphoria's Sydney Sweeney has been subject to criticism and controversy, particularly over the last year, the actor has hit back while focusing on her upcoming work.

In a new interview, she ‘deflected’ any question about the ‘good jeans’ ad she did with American Eagle and instead discussed her excitement for her role as Christy Martin in Christy.

And it’s noted that maybe her acting abilities are what often causes such conversation around her, as viewers can’t ‘separate’ her from characters.

Sweeney has been heavily on our screens over recent years, let’s be honest, from Anyone But You and The White Lotus to the upcoming boxing biopic in November and The Housemaid in December.

Sweeney rightly says she's doing it for herself. (Mike Marsland/WireImage)

The 28-year-old told Variety that because she plays ‘a lot of very divisive characters’, she reckons many people ‘think they know’ her.

“But they don’t,” she said. “So when people think, ‘Ah, she’s a sex symbol,’ or ‘She’s leaning into that,’ I’m like, ‘No, I just feel good and I’m doing it for myself and I feel strong'."

Sweeney added that she hopes she is able to inspire other women to be confident.

“And just flaunt what they got and feel good because you shouldn’t have to apologise or hide or cover up in any room.”

It’s no secret that her appearance is often under scrutiny or that the star is sexualised, perhaps given the nature of some of the roles she takes on or her bathwater advert.

In a previous interview for Empire, Sweeney also spoke about how people have a ‘hard time separating actors from their characters’, especially with her role as Cassie.

“Where she is hated and she’s loved, but she’s definitely a complicated character,” she said

Euphoria is how many came to know of the star. (HBO)

“And so I think that that could confuse people, for sure. But if they’re hating me for decisions that my character is making, then I’m playing the character correctly.”

As she speaks about criticism of being ‘a sex symbol’, she also previously spoke about her style and beauty choices with Harper’s Bazaar.

“I definitely learned a lot when I moved to LA,” she explained, “and learned that there's no boundary or no box that beauty and style was put in – that you can be whoever you want.”

Sweeney told Variety she has ‘never gotten’ any cosmetic work and is aiming to ‘age gracefully’.

“Being an actress, it’s a lot harder to stand in the room and demand your worth and for people to look at you and value you,” she said. “I have to remind myself like, ‘Hey, Syd, you’re actually powerful. Stand up a little taller.’”