Sydney Sweeney has solidified her position as arguably the most visible star of her generation.
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At27yearsold,she’sthemostprominentZillennialonandoffthescreen,andhercareerdefiesneatcategorization.Inmanyways,she’sanactress’sactress,carvingoutarespectablenicheinindieandprestigefilmandtelevision.Butunconventionally,she’salsoleaningintoadifferentarchetype.Onethat’slongbeenassociatedwithditziness,objectification,andlossofagency:thesexsymbolposinginadsforproductsmarketedtomen,wherethejokeisoftenaboutherbody.However,SweeneyismorethanjustarevitalizedpieceofeyecandyalaMeganFox,PamAnderson,orCarmenElectra.Hercareercan’tbechalkeduptopassiveobjectificationnorempowermentfeminism.She’sbuiltameta-awarebrandthatoneculturalcommentatorcharacterizedas“subversivevulnerability,”inwhichshe“lookslikethearchetypebutplayscharacterswithinstabilityandtension.”Shegivesyou“emotionaltruth,notjustpolish.”Contrarytopopularbeliefonright-wingmaleTwitter,shedidnotbuildhercareeronthebackofbeingthehot,bus
