Sydney Sweeney Defends Bathwater Soap: A Closer Look at the Backlash and Hypocrisy

Sydney Sweeney, the 27-year-old Euphoria star, has found herself at the center of a media storm due to the release of a unique and controversial product: soap infused with her own bathwater. The soap, a collaboration with the men’s personal care brand Dr. Squatch, was marketed as containing actual bathwater collected from the actress. The launch sparked intense criticism from various corners, but Sweeney is standing firm and defending her decision.

In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, published on August 20th, Sweeney addressed the controversy, claiming that much of the backlash was rooted in hypocrisy. The actress explained that while she faced significant criticism from people who were uncomfortable with the idea of her bathwater being used in a soap, there was a clear double standard at play. She pointed out that the negative comments mostly came from women, a reaction she found particularly interesting and somewhat contradictory.

According to Sydney, these same women seemed to have no issue with the concept of bathwater when it was connected to her Euphoria co-star Jacob Elordi’s performance in the 2023 thriller Saltburn. In the film, Elordi’s character engages in a provocative and unsettling moment involving bathwater. This scene quickly gained attention for its unusual and taboo subject matter, but, as Sweeney pointed out, it was celebrated by many fans. A “bathwater candle” even emerged for sale, capitalizing on the viral moment.

For Sweeney, the contrast between the positive reception of the Saltburn bathwater scene and the backlash over her soap was stark. “It was mainly the girls making comments about it, which I thought was really interesting,” she said. “They all loved the idea of Jacob Elordi’s bathwater.” This statement highlights a key point in the debate: fans had no qualms with bathwater being used in a fictional context, but when Sweeney made it a product available for purchase, they were quick to criticize her for it.

The backlash wasn’t just limited to fans. The soap collaboration received a great deal of negative press, with many questioning its ethics and the concept of monetizing something as intimate as bathwater. Despite this, Sweeney felt it was important to call out the hypocrisy of those criticizing her for selling a product that was essentially no different from what had been celebrated in Saltburn. “They were acting as if bathwater was somehow gross or taboo when Jacob Elordi’s bathwater was clearly embraced,” she explained. This contradiction led Sweeney to believe that the criticism wasn’t really about the bathwater itself but rather about her being a woman selling a product that pushed boundaries.

The soap, which includes pine, earthy moss, and Douglas fir scents, was launched in May and was marketed as a novelty item, aimed at fans of both Sweeney and Dr. Squatch’s unique branding. For many, it was an eyebrow-raising product, and while some expressed concerns over its marketing and the idea of using bathwater as an ingredient, others were quick to dismiss it as just another celebrity product to capitalize on fame.

In addition to defending the product, Sweeney took the opportunity to discuss her latest project, Echo Valley, a psychological thriller in which she plays the role of Claire. The film explores intense themes, and Sweeney admits that the script immediately grabbed her attention. “There’s so many different topics, reasons, everything that came together with Echo Valley,” she said. “One, working with Julianne Moore has always been a dream, and it came true. She’s the kindest person you will ever meet. Claire, as a character, challenges me as an actress, and I love when I’m challenged.”

This project marks another step in Sweeney’s career, which has seen her transition from the breakout success of Euphoria to starring in diverse roles. Yet, despite her growing acting portfolio, the soap controversy continues to linger in the media.

On the subject of the bathwater soap, Sweeney’s defense comes across as more than just an attempt to justify a product; it’s an exploration of the broader issue of celebrity culture and the commodification of intimacy. In her view, if the idea of bathwater is acceptable in a fictional setting or for a male actor, then why should it be any different when a woman chooses to make a product out of it? “I’m just doing my thing. I’m not hurting anyone,” Sweeney said, clearly frustrated by the hypocrisy that surrounds her brand collaboration.

Despite the controversy, Sweeney’s soap has sold well, with fans and collectors flocking to buy the unique product. The controversy, in many ways, may have helped fuel its success by drawing attention to the collaboration, even though much of that attention was negative. The soap’s mix of novelty, celebrity culture, and the unusual ingredient of bathwater made it a conversation piece that sparked debates across social media.

But as Sydney Sweeney continues to defend her decisions, it’s clear that she’s using the controversy to highlight the underlying issues of gender and hypocrisy that continue to affect women in the entertainment industry. While she may have expected some criticism for the soap, Sweeney’s larger point is that there is a deeper, more systemic problem with how women are often treated differently from men in the public eye.

At the same time, her defense of the product is also a reminder of the pressure placed on celebrities to constantly challenge themselves and push boundaries in order to stay relevant. The bathwater soap, despite its seemingly bizarre concept, is another example of how celebrities often navigate the fine line between authenticity and exploitation.

As Sweeney continues to build her career, it’s clear that she won’t be swayed by the backlash. She’s not just defending a product; she’s defending her right to take creative risks and challenge societal expectations. The bathwater soap may have sparked controversy, but it also revealed a larger conversation about the way society views women, fame, and the commercialization of personal identity.

In the end, Sydney Sweeney’s defiant stance on the soap may not change everyone’s opinion, but it does bring to light an important question: why do we as a society reserve judgment for certain celebrity products and performances based on the gender of the person behind them? For now, Sweeney is unapologetically standing by her collaboration, and it’s clear that the soap is just the beginning of her ever-expanding career in both entertainment and business.