Comedian says that 27-year-old actress, who has been at the center of several discussions, ‘brought grace back to the world’
Presenter Danilo Gentili once again caused division on social media this week by publishing an emphatic compliment to American actress Sydney Sweeney. Known for his acidic style and constant criticism of what he calls “ideological patrol”, Gentili used the star of Euphoria e Anyone But You as an example of what is considered “real beauty” as opposed to current Hollywood and social media standards.
On his account on X (formerly Twitter), Gentili listed a series of characteristics of Sweeney that, according to him, make her special in the current scenario. The presenter highlighted the absence of aesthetic interventions and the actress’s behavior: “No tattoo. No silicone. Body of a normal woman without looking like a monstrous donkey or a deposit of flesh and muscle. No facial harmonization. No speech. No trying to please people. No paying toll for the diary. Just being herself. She gave grace back to the world, my dear”, wrote the comedian.
The post quickly went viral, racking up thousands of likes and sparking a heated debate. While the presenter’s followers agreed with the view that Sydney represents a “return to classic femininity”, others criticized Gentili for objectifying the actress’ body and using it as a weapon in a cultural war against aesthetic procedures and social movements.
The 27-year-old actress has been at the center of several discussions that go far beyond her dramatic talent. Recently, she became the face of a dispute over beauty standards and politics:
The controversy with the Hollywood producer
Recently, veteran producer Carol Baum (of Father of the Bride) fired heavy criticism at Sydney, stating that she “isn’t pretty” and “can’t act.” The comment generated a wave of defense for the actress, but also reignited the debate about the constant scrutiny that women suffer in the film industry.
“Síam Matis natires”?
Without ever directly declaring herself politically, Sweeney ended up being “adopted” by conservative sectors in the USA and Brazil. The reason? The fact that she doesn’t focus her career on progressive activism and maintains an aesthetic that harkens back to Hollywood stars of the 1950s and 90s.
Mother’s controversial birthday
In 2022, Sydney faced her first major digital write-off after posting photos from her mother’s birthday. In the images, guests appeared wearing caps that parodied Donald Trump’s slogan (“Make Sixty Great Again”) and vests that referred to symbols of the American right. At the time, the actress asked people to “stop jumping to conclusions”, stating that it was just a family celebration.
O Trocadilho: “Great Jeans” vs. “Great Genes”
The controversy revolved around the campaign slogan: “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans”. The problem, for critics, was the phonetic pun with the word “genes” (genetics). In the commercial, the actress appears in close-up and says: “Genes are passed from parents to children, often determining characteristics such as hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue.”
The video generated immediate and deep division. Sectors of progressive activism and some fashion columnists interpreted the ad as a “dog whistle” (subliminal message). They argued that extolling the “superior genetics” of a blonde, blue-eyed woman flirted with ideals of eugenics and white supremacy. On the other hand, the conservative public and fans of the actress ridiculed the criticism, calling it an “outbreak of cancel culture”. To them, it was just an obvious play on the fact that Sydney is considered one of the most beautiful women in the world.
The controversy reached such proportions that even then-candidate Donald Trump commented on the case, praising the commercial as the “hottest ad of the moment” and defending the actress against “woke patrol”.
Sydney Sweeney, who usually keeps a low profile on politics, broke her silence only months later, in recent interviews (November and December 2025) for GQ ea People. She said she was “honestly shocked” by the negative interpretation. “I made the ad because I love jeans. I don’t support the views that some people have chosen to associate with the campaign,” he declared. The actress admitted that her initial silence may have “increased division”, but reinforced that her intention was never political. Despite the confusion, the marketing strategy worked: American Eagle shares rose and the jeans line sold out in several stores.
*Report produced with the help of AI
