By Joshua Tyler
| Published
If you’re wondering what Sydney Sweeney’s current life would look like if she weren’t outed as allegedly being a registered Republican by The Guardian, we have an answer. Her name is Margaret Qualley.
Margaret Qualley and Sydney Sweeney are currently Hollywood’s two most visible young actresses, and their careers have run parallel to each other, in almost exactly the same way. They even appeared together in the same movie in nearly identical roles.
Both Qualley and Sweeney were in 2019’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, playing young female members of the Manson family. At the time, Qualley was 23 and Sweeney was 21. But their careers were already on the same track before then.
Both actresses emerged from television before making waves in film, cultivating profiles that mix mainstream appeal with a willingness to take on provocative or boundary-pushing roles. Qualley first drew attention in shows like Fosse/Verdon and The Leftovers, while Sweeney became widely known through Euphoria and The White Lotus. Each has used these high-profile roles to showcase range and intensity, often portraying characters who navigate morally complex or sexually charged environments.
In addition to TV and film, both have made calculated moves into fashion and advertising. Qualley has modeled for Miu Miu and Dior, among others, blending her acting persona with high-fashion campaigns. Sweeney has similarly balanced acting with commercial work, partnering with brands including Samsung, L’Oréal, American Eagle, and Laneige. Both women seem conscious of maintaining a cross-platform presence that bolsters visibility and cultural relevance.
Qualley’s advertising work looks pretty much like Sydney Sweeney’s, sexy and fully embracing of feminine sexuality, but no one’s running around accusing her of being a Nazi. I doubt it’s only because Margaret’s currently presenting as a brunette.
Both actresses seem to have taken the same approach to hyper-sexualizing themselves for the camera. Qualley spends much of the 2024 movie The Substance naked, and even when wearing clothes, she’s thrusting one body part or another at the camera. For her efforts, The Substance was critically acclaimed, and Qualley was praised for her performance.
Sweeney has received similar acclaim for showing off her body, and I’m not just talking about that SNL skit where she played a Hooters waitress. In Euphoria, her scenes were part of the show’s unflinching exploration of teen sexuality and addiction. In Sharp Objects, the nudity contributed to the dark, psychological tone and was generally received as integral to the story.
The only real difference between the two is the recent revelation of Sweeney’s alleged politics. Both Qualley and Sweeney have generally tried to keep their political views private. But unlike Sydney, Margaret has so far been successful at it.
If Margaret Qualley is somehow revealed to be a Republican, it’ll be interesting if she, too, starts being attacked and denigrated. For now, Margaret Qualley is the toast of Hollywood, while Sydney Sweeney has become the press’s new punching bag.
