Sydney Sweeney Responds to ‘Euphoria’ Criticism With 3 Simple Words
Sydney Sweeney addressed her critics just before the final episode of ‘Euphoria’ aired, delivering a concise yet impactful message on Instagram. The actress, who portrays Cassie Howard in the HBO series, shared her thoughts on the same day the series finale was released.
In her post, Sweeney included a collection of photos showcasing her character’s various looks throughout the seasons, including her wedding dress from season 3 and other striking outfits that sparked significant online discussion. Her caption was straightforward: “It’s called… acting,” she wrote.
This post comes amid a wave of public criticism directed at Sweeney from various fronts. Recently, she faced backlash after an advertising campaign with American Eagle ignited controversy online, leading to heated discussions on social media.
Simultaneously, ‘Euphoria’ has been a hot topic during its third and final season. Created by Sam Levinson, the show has explored the lives of teens grappling with addiction, relationships, trauma, and identity. Sweeney’s character, Cassie, has been one of the most discussed roles due to her intense and often controversial story arcs.
One significant point of contention this season was Cassie’s involvement in storylines related to sex work and online content creation. The character’s unusual outfits, including a dog costume, sparked backlash from viewers and individuals in the adult content industry.
In response, sex workers and creators expressed concerns about the portrayal of these storylines. Celina Reboyras, a sex worker and founder of Doxy magazine, criticized the depiction as unrealistic, arguing that the show often exaggerates or distorts real-life experiences.
“It’s very f—ing bizarre that Sam Levinson decided to have every main character in season 3 of Euphoria either become a sex worker or have a job that’s sex work-adjacent,” she stated in an interview with Dazed, noting that her own experiences growing up near a major city were vastly different from what the show illustrates.
Other creators echoed similar sentiments regarding accuracy. Sydney Leathers, an OnlyFans creator, shared with Variety that certain elements depicted in the show do not align with actual platform rules or real-life conditions, suggesting that some content felt exaggerated for dramatic effect rather than realism.
“Credit card processors have very strict rules that you have to abide by, and the rules are getting stricter all the time,” she noted.
Leathers also expressed frustration with Hollywood’s portrayal of the industry. “Sex workers in general, myself included, tend to be hyper-sensitive about the way Hollywood portrays us because it’s almost never nice,” she added.
In defense of Cassie’s storyline, show creator Sam Levinson explained that the series intentionally employs exaggeration and surreal moments to convey emotion and fantasy rather than strict realism.
“What we wanted to always find is the other layer of absurdity that we’re able to tie into it so that we’re not too inside of her fantasy or illusion—the gag is to jump out, to break the wall,” Levinson clarified.
‘Euphoria’ aired its final episode on Sunday night at 9 p.m. EST, concluding the series after three impactful seasons, as confirmed by HBO.
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