Amanda Seyfried has once again found herself at the centre of political debate after describing socialism as a “gorgeous idea” — remarks that come just days after she firmly refused to apologise for her controversial comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The Mamma Mia! star, 40, shared her views during a recent appearance on Variety’s Award Circuit podcast while promoting her new musical film The Testament of Ann Lee, which explores the life of the founder of the Shakers — an 18th-century religious movement built on principles of communal living and shared responsibility.
As Seyfried and host Michael Schneider discussed the current state of the United States, the actress suggested that modern society has drifted away from values once central to community life.
“We’re kicking our own out,” she said, before adding that the story of Ann Lee feels particularly relevant today. “There’s a direct relationship between what she created and what we’re lacking now.”
Seyfried went on to frame socialism not as a rigid political system, but as a philosophy rooted in care and compassion.
“How about we don’t have agendas?” she asked. “How about our agenda is to take care of each other? Socialism is a gorgeous idea — and I know it doesn’t work perfectly.”
When Schneider pointed out that the word “socialism” can mean very different things depending on who is using it, Seyfried clarified what the concept represents to her personally.
“For me, it’s about taking care of each other,” she explained. “If I have more money, I can spend more money on other people. Isn’t that right?”
The conversation later turned to moments of national unity, with Schneider referencing the period following the September 11 attacks as an example of Americans coming together selflessly.
“Everybody dropped everything for each other,” Seyfried reflected. “People sacrificed their lives without thinking twice.”
She added that such compassion should not require tragedy to surface.
“We shouldn’t need a meteor or a house-on-fire moment to show up for each other,” she said. “That’s just who we are as human beings.”
The actress’s comments arrive just days after she rejected calls to apologise for a past Instagram post in which she described Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk as “hateful” following his assassination in September.
In an interview with Who What Wear published on December 10, Seyfried addressed the backlash head-on — and made it clear she would not back down.
“I’m not f***ing apologizing for that,” she said. “What I said was based on actual reality, actual footage and actual quotes. It was factual. And I’m allowed to have an opinion.”
She explained that speaking publicly was her way of reclaiming control over how her views had been portrayed.
“Thank God for Instagram,” she said. “I was able to give clarity. It was about getting my voice back after it felt stolen and recontextualized — which people do all the time.”
Despite her willingness to speak out, Seyfried acknowledged the emotional toll of navigating political conversations in the public eye, admitting she has to consciously “keep [her] head on” when dealing with divisive issues.
Away from the controversy, Seyfried is currently starring in the newly released film The Housemaid, alongside Sydney Sweeney — another actress who has recently found herself embroiled in political debate.
Sweeney, 28, sparked a social media firestorm earlier this year after appearing in an American Eagle jeans campaign that played on the phrase “good genes,” with critics accusing the advert of echoing extremist imagery. Reports later emerged that Sweeney was a registered Republican, intensifying the backlash from some fans.
Even former president Donald Trump weighed in on the situation, joking at the time: “Now I love her ad.”
As Seyfried continues to promote her latest work, her comments have once again highlighted how celebrity, politics and public opinion remain deeply intertwined — and how speaking candidly can quickly reignite controversy in a divided climate.
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