Sydney Sweeney's recent television appearance has ignited a fiery social media debate, not about her acting, but about her hair. The star of The Housemaid found herself at the centre of an unexpected controversy following her December 1 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
The Criticism That Lit the Fuse
The row began when fashion critic and internet personality Blakely Thornton took to Instagram to critique Sweeney's look. In a reel posted after the show, Thornton described the actress as looking like “Effie Trinket's lost niece,” a reference to the flamboyant character from The Hunger Games. He captioned the video, “She’s the new Brittany Mahomes,” and launched a direct attack on her hairstyle.
Thornton didn't hold back, stating, “I don't want to keep talking about this white girl, but I'm very aware that at this point, her and her team of what I assume are white, Republican, self-hating gays are committed to the bit.” He accused the look of leaning into political messaging, asking, “Why else would you go on a late-night talk show looking like Effie Trinket's lost niece?” His most biting remark called it “The stiffest wig this side of the Mississippi.”
Hairstylist Fires Back in Fiery Exchange
The criticism did not go unanswered. Sweeney's hairstylist, Glen 'Coco' Oropeza, swiftly clapped back in a heated online exchange. Screenshots of the argument, later shared by Thornton in another reel captioned “It’s 11pm and I’m feeling petty,” captured the moment.
Oropeza firmly corrected the record, writing, “Wasn't a wig, but you can't get my girl's name out of your mouth. You're obsessed.” The stylist continued the defence, telling Thornton, “Stiff where? You're doing a lot ... Take a breath, diva. You can keep trying to spin a narrative, but we all know you just need click bait cuz your content is TIRED.”
Oropeza concluded the retort by dismissing the critic's deep interest, adding, “If you need attention, just say that. Imagine caring this much about a hairstyle you didn't create and a woman who doesn't know you exist. Goodnight.”
Moving Past the Controversy
Just a day after the hairstyle controversy erupted, Sydney Sweeney was spotted on December 2 at a screening for her film The Housemaid in New York, sporting a completely different look. She appeared with long, bouncy waves, seemingly unbothered by the online spat.
The actress has previously spoken about her relationship with her hair. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sweeney revealed that cutting her hair was a significant step. “I think my long hair became my security blanket. I always wanted it down and wavy, but I'm loving this. I feel like I'm going to meet a new version of myself,” she said, highlighting her personal journey with her style choices.
This incident underscores how a celebrity's aesthetic choice can quickly become a flashpoint for wider, often intense, public debate and personal criticism on social media platforms.
