Sydney Sweeney and Scooter Braun's New Romance Faces Cancel-Culture Crossfire

A high-profile romance between Sydney Sweeney and Scooter Braun has drawn renewed scrutiny of their pasts and the potential consequences for their careers, as observers weigh what loyalty means in a landscape where political beliefs and public feuds can define celebrity brands. Sweeney, the Emmy-nominated star of HBO's Euphoria, and Braun, the longtime music executive who helped launch Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, have long occupied opposite ends of Hollywood's glittering spectrum. Now their pairing has reframed public perception, with some commentators warning that a misstep could invite swift backlash from fans and industry peers alike.

Friends say the relationship has evolved from casual dating to something more serious in roughly three months, with the pair reportedly spending time together after being introduced at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding. The ceremony—a lavish affair with a reported budget of about $20 million—was met with protests and criticism from some onlookers who labeled the event ostentatious. In recent weeks, Braun is said to have joined Sweeney on a Lake Tahoe getaway, though he did not appear in her swimsuit photos.

Politics have colored the discourse around both. Public voter records reviewed by the Daily Mail show that Sweeney registered as a member of the Republican Party of Florida in June 2024, in Monroe County. In 2022, she faced criticism after posting photographs of her mother's birthday party attendees wearing MAGA-inspired hats, prompting her to tell GQ that she felt the country was being pulled into a wildfire of reaction that she couldn't fix.

Braun's political profile has leaned Democratic in recent years. He hosted a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton in 2015 and endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024, sharing images with the senator and calling her a friend. He also publicly commented on Donald Trump's critique of Swift over her endorsement decisions, posting a quip that tried to deflect the feud.

As the romance drew attention, Swift's supporters renewed their scrutiny of Braun's business moves. Braun's acquisition of Swift's masters, reportedly worth more than $300 million, has long fueled fan anger and debates about control of artists' work. Social-media conversations around Sweeney's relationship circulated with a mix of curiosity and concern, with some observers noting the potential for the pairing to dominate tabloid headlines and shape public perception in ways that could complicate either party's brand.

Professionally, Sweeney has weathered a mixed reception to recent projects. Her survival thriller Eden, from Ron Howard, opened to modest box-office results, while Americana, released earlier, performed even more modestly. Emmy night this year found her on stage accepting an award but keeping a relatively low profile backstage and at afterparties. Separately, her association with an American Eagle denim campaign drew fierce criticism from some corners who labeled the campaign as problematic, though the brand reported profit growth despite the controversy.

Industry observers say the couple's future will hinge on how they navigate public scrutiny and whether the relationship can withstand ongoing political debates and business tensions. For Sweeney and Braun, the test will be whether their partnership becomes a strategic shield against backlash or a lightning rod that amplifies it.