"This is a whole new level of icky": Perez Hilton reacts to Sydney Sweeney’s shocking claim about being told to get botox at 16

Podcaster Perez Hilton weighed in on Sydney Sweeney’s recent revelation that she was told to get Botox as a teenager. In his October 28 article on his website, Hilton expressed both shock and frustration over the actress’s experience, and remarked:

“Listen, it’s no secret beauty standards for women in this day and age are effed up! But THIS is a whole new level of icky…”

In his article, Perez Hilton reported that Sweeney had opened up about the incident in a new Variety interview published on October 27, where she reflected on her “early days as an actress.”

The podcaster then reminded readers that before her breakout roles in Euphoria and Anyone But You, and even before her now-iconic American Eagle campaign, Sweeney had faced rejection and harsh criticism in Hollywood.

He explained how Sweeney “was told she’d never make it in El Lay.” He then added that “at just SIXTEEN years old” the Euphoria actress was advised to get “Botox” before making an acting debut.

“I have very strong eyebrow muscles. And I had someone tell me to fix my face or else I’m not going to make it. I should get Botox. I was 16!” Perez Hilton added citing Sweeney from her interview

Reacting strongly to the remark, Hilton called it “insane” that anyone would tell a 16-year-old to “fix” her face. He pointed out that Sweeney was still growing into her features at the time and questioned how anyone could see natural expressiveness as a flaw.

“How on earth could someone think a kid needs work done?! Plus, telling an ACTRESS her eyebrows are too expressive? What, audiences are going to understand her emotions too easily? Make it make sense!” he remarked

Later in his piece, Perez Hilton reflected on how common cosmetic enhancements had become in Hollywood, noting that fillers were now “super popular in Tinseltown.”

He expressed concern that if young stars like Sydney Sweeney were being told they needed “Botox to make it,” many might feel compelled to follow that advice.

Hilton described this as “a sad reality,” emphasizing that procedures such as fillers and plastic surgery should always remain a personal choice and never something people, particularly teenagers, feel pressured into.

---

Sydney Sweeney shuts down plastic surgery rumors during interview with Variety

Sydney Sweeney (Image via Getty Images)

Euphoria alum Sydney Sweeney opened up about self-image, confidence, and public perception during her Variety interview published on October 27.

The actress firmly dismissed speculation that she had undergone any kind of cosmetic procedure. She explained her stance and shared her desire to embrace natural beauty, while citing a genuine fear of needles.

“I’ve never gotten anything done…I’m absolutely terrified of needles. No tattoos. Nothing,” she told the outlet.

The actress further emphasized her wish to embrace the passage of time rather than fight against it. She said she wanted to “age gracefully” and naturally.

Sydney Sweeney also found humor in the constant speculation surrounding her appearance. She explained that many online comparisons between her past and present looks were misleading. This was because they often featured photos from her early teens.

“It’s really funny. I’ll see things online like ‘comparison pictures.’ I’m like, ‘I’m 12 in that photo.’ Of course I’m going to look different. I have makeup on now and I’m 15 years older,” Sydney Sweeney noted.

The actress’s appearance had long been a talking point, and most recently, due to her controversial American Eagle denim ad campaign earlier this year.

The campaign played on the homophones “jeans” and “genes.” This wordplay was criticized and accused of being a “racialized dog whistle” and promoting eugenics. Despite the backlash, American Eagle defended their ad. The brand called it a creative play on identity and self-expression.

Sydney Sweeney did not explicitly address the controversy in her Variety interview. But she indirectly acknowledged the public scrutiny surrounding her image post her ad.

Reflecting on how audiences often confused her with the provocative roles she played, she explained that people tended to assume they knew her because of the characters she portrayed. She explained:

“I play a lot of very divisive characters, and I think that a lot of people think they know me, but they don’t… So when people think, ‘Ah, she’s a sex symbol,’ or ‘She’s leaning into that,’ I’m like, ‘No, I just feel good and I’m doing it for myself and I feel strong.’”

She further expressed hope that her sense of self-assurance would encourage other women to feel the same way. Sweeney said she wanted to inspire others to be unapologetically confident and “flaunt what they’ve got” without feeling pressured to hide or tone themselves down for anyone.

In her words, she hoped to remind women that they should never feel the need to “apologize or cover up in any room,” instead urging them to feel good in their own bodies and embrace their individuality.

---

Sydney Sweeney is gearing up for her upcoming film Christy, which portrays legendary boxer Christy Martin, and is set to hit theaters on November 7, 2025.

Edited by Shayari Roy