Sydney Sweeney’s Hairstylist Claps Back After Online Accusations of a “MAGA” Makeover

Sydney Sweeney’s recent appearance on The Tonight Show has sparked an unexpected and heated online debate, not about her performance, but about her fashion and hairstyle. The actress wore a crimson dress and a sleek blonde bob, a look that some social media critics, led by influencer Blakely Thornton, quickly labeled as coded conservative or “MAGA-style” imagery. Thornton further mocked the hairstyle, suggesting it was a stiff wig.

The situation escalated when Sweeney’s longtime hairstylist, Glen Oropeza, publicly fired back. He directly challenged Thornton in social media comments, stating the hair was not a wig and accusing the influencer of being “obsessed” and creating clickbait with “tired” content. Oropeza defended the look as simple style, not political narrative.

Detractors argued the look echoed attire worn by prominent political figures like Melania Trump and was reminiscent of a “Fox News Bob.” Defenders noted that red dresses are a non-partisan classic, famously worn by public figures across the spectrum, including Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama. Thornton’s critique is part of a pattern, as he has previously criticized Sweeney’s fashion and social circle, stating he targets her as an exemplar of what he sees as “Hollywood’s commitment to whiteness.”

The controversy also revived discussion of Sweeney’s past American Eagle campaign, which some had misinterpreted as having racial connotations, though the brand clarified its focus was solely on denim. The incident underscores how, for a vocal segment of the internet, Sweeney’s image has become a flashpoint in the broader culture wars, transforming a standard press tour appearance into a symbolic political battleground.