Sacha Baron Cohen’s Ali G Premiere Sparks Outrage Over Sydney Sweeney Joke

Avatar photoValentina Kraljik
Sacha Baron Cohen Sydney Sweeney
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Sacha Baron Cohen has always embraced controversy, and his return as Ali G in 2026 is no exception. The character, who first graced British television in 1998 as a clueless, wannabe streetwise interviewer, became a cultural icon before being retired. Now, the Sacha Baron Cohen Sydney Sweeney joke has ignited a fresh debate surrounding his comeback.

The upcoming film, ‘Ali G: Who Iz I?’, marks Cohen’s directorial debut and is set to hit theaters on October 23. However, even before its release, the film has sparked intense discussions about satire, race, and the relevance of the character in today’s society.

Prior to the premiere, the project faced backlash. Critics condemned Ali G as an outdated and racist stereotype, citing Cohen’s fake dreadlocks and Rastafarian-style hat. A campaign in the UK even called for the film to be barred from theaters, arguing that satire has often been misused to reinforce harmful stereotypes.

Cohen responded in his signature style. On October 7, he shared a sketch on Instagram where he portrayed a balding activist from a fictional group called the Campaign for Ethical Comedy, urging audiences to boycott the film. The sketch mocked the backlash’s language but didn’t address the specific concerns raised.

The world premiere took place on Wednesday, October 14, at the Hollywood Legion Theater in Los Angeles. Cohen arrived in character as Ali G, donning his iconic yellow tracksuit and chain, and engaged with reporters while fully in persona. He was also joined on the carpet by co-star Morgana Robinson.

During the event, he was asked about the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger but chose to ignore the question, instead making a crude, sexually suggestive remark about actress Sydney Sweeney, stating that the only merger happening that night would be between him and her. The clip quickly went viral after being shared by Variety.

Reactions to the remark were swift and polarized. Many criticized it as misogynistic, questioning how audiences ever found him funny. Others defended the character as intentionally ignorant and offensive, arguing that the joke is on Ali G himself. Critics, however, labeled this defense as a lazy justification, claiming the material feels stale. This debate has reignited calls to cancel the film.

There has been no response from Sydney Sweeney or her representatives regarding the joke. The ‘Euphoria’ star was not present at the event, and the comment was made about her rather than directed at her. Without a statement from her, it’s challenging to gauge her feelings on the matter, making speculation unfair.

It’s important to note that the remark was made during an informal, in-character red carpet interview rather than a scripted scene. While this context doesn’t alter the reactions, it does shed light on the off-the-cuff nature of the comment.

Cohen has built a career on provocative characters, with ‘Da Ali G Show’ featuring three of them, including Ali G, Borat, and Brüno, each pushing audiences into uncomfortable territory. Although he announced Ali G’s retirement in the 2000s, the character resurfaced in 2012 during the British Comedy Awards, again stirring controversy with his jokes. This year’s revival began in July when Cohen shared a short video of the character and later announced the film.

The larger question remains whether the film can resonate with audiences amid this controversy. While some viewers are eager for more Ali G, others feel the character has outstayed its welcome. Cohen appears to be embracing the controversy, which may be part of his strategy.

Ultimately, audience reactions to the movie will likely hinge on how well the humor translates on screen. Until then, the premiere comment has sparked a conversation that shows no signs of fading.

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