Sydney Sweeney’s Bathwater Soap Controversy
Sydney Sweeney, the Emmy-nominated star of Euphoria, has been no stranger to social media buzz. Before her American Eagle jeans campaign went viral, she faced controversy over a different project: a limited-edition soap for the men’s brand Dr. Squatch, called “Sydney’s Bathwater Bliss.” This soap, infused with her bathwater, sold out almost immediately but sparked mixed reactions online.
Sweeney herself explained in The Wall Street Journal that she closely follows public opinion, saying, “It’s important to have a finger on the pulse of what people are saying, because everything is a conversation with the audience.” She noticed that most of the criticism came from women, which she found curious, especially considering how well-received a similar product—Jacob Elordi’s bathwater candle—had been. The Elordi candle, tied to the film Saltburn, became a viral sensation and inspired numerous memes online.
The mixed reaction to Sweeney’s bathwater product highlights how different audiences react differently, even to similar concepts. While her product caused debate, it wasn’t nearly as controversial as her later American Eagle jeans campaign. That campaign, which played on the pun “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans” (a play on “great genes”), drew criticism from some social media users for allegedly glorifying her white heritage and thin figure. Some even controversially compared the ads to “Nazi propaganda,” showing how online discussions can quickly escalate.
In summary, Sydney Sweeney’s ventures—from bathwater soap to jeans ads—illustrate the modern reality of celebrity marketing: even creative or playful campaigns can spark major online conversations, and public reactions can be unpredictable depending on audience perception.
