If you’re a pop culture fiend, you’ll most likely find yourself guilty of going down the rabbit hole of celebrity feuds now and then. Kim Cattrall vs Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicki Minaj vs Miley Cyrus, Blake Lively vs Leighton Meester, Selena Gomez vs Hailey Bieber… and the list goes on.
And, as whispers of a rift between Euphoria co-stars Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney grow louder, it raises the question as to whether there is genuine substance to these claims, or are they simply a byproduct of a media landscape designed to pit women against each other for clicks?
Clinical psychologist Dr Alissa Knight spoke to WHO about our obsession with celebrity feuds and the reason women are often being pushed into a public ‘catfight’.
Why do we feed into feuds?
Celebrity feuds have long been a staple in pop culture, giving us something to talk about around the high school lunch circle, or now make TikToks about and tear apart in the comments section.
“From a clinical perspective, there is something deeply human about being drawn towards watching or observing emotional conflict in others,” says Dr Knight.
So basically, it may sound sick and twisted, but from a developmental point of view, it helps us evaluate how we conduct our own social interactions and differentiate right from wrong.
“From a young age, women are subtly socialised into what psychologists call ‘relational comparison’. This is where we evaluate ourselves through connection, belonging, and social standing. Media narratives that position women as rivals don’t just entertain us; they activate this deeply ingrained lens of comparison and competition.”
It’s also a case of how invested we are in the celebrity’s in question.
If you were a fan of Gossip Girl or Sex and the City, it can be heartbreaking to know that your favourite characters have a simmering beef off-screen.
So is it really that bad to want to know where they stand with each other?
The problem, however, is when women are consistently placed at the centre of these narratives.
‘Catfights’ undermine the most important thing for women
The media, oftentimes, needs a villain for their story – and women are often cast in that role, used as Barbie-doll-like characters to feed the narrative.
It also, like a lot of problems women deal with, leads us back to the patriarchy (not him again!).
Historically, the patriarchy wants women to compete with each other in order to divide them.
“What I sometimes hold concern over is that while it is totally natural to be drawn to this type of content, over time, repeated exposure to these narratives particularly with a polarising spin, can subtly reinforce the idea that women are naturally in competition with one another, rather than be collaborative,” says Dr Knight.
“Which we know now from decades of research, is simply not true. Hence, what might feel like harmless entertainment, can actually reinforce some very old and very unhelpful social scripts.”
Not only does it go against what the feminist movement has been trying to dismantle for centuries, but it can personally affect those involved as well.
“Perhaps most concerning to me is that these portrayals can undermine one of the most well-established findings in psychology: That female friendships are a critical protective factor for mental health,” she tells us. “Strong, supportive relationships between women are linked to reduced stress, increased resilience, and greater emotional wellbeing.”
Can speculation of a feud actually create strain?
90210 co-stars Jennie Garth and the late Shannen Doherty famously fell victim to feud-rumours.
Recently, Jennie has revealed during a press run for her upcoming memoir that while, yes, the two didn’t get along behind the scenes, she blames the media and show’s storyline for exacerbating the tension.
“I think we were both in the same position, really thrust into the spotlight, and we were written as characters to be against each other,” Jennie told People recently. “That translated into the media and into the audience and then into the world’s perception of our relationship. And that, in turn, was confusing for both of us, I think.”
“This energy was coming at us from everywhere and pitting us against each other.”
It makes sense that things would begin to spiral when the whole world is commenting on your relationship with someone, telling you how to feel and claiming the other person has said something negative about you.
“What happens over time is a kind of relational pressure builds externally.
“Friends, colleagues, media, and audiences begin to expect tension. Interactions are scrutinised. Neutral moments are reinterpreted as meaningful. Even silence can be framed as hostility,” says Dr Knight.
Are Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney actually feuding?
With that in mind, it’s important to approach these rumours with a healthy dose of scepticism.
In the case of Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney, much of the so-called “feud” appears to rest more on speculation and sensational reporting than any clear public evidence of genuine conflict.
So far, it’s only been speculated.
“There were tensions way back. It was an open secret that Sydney had the hots for Tom and was flirty with him when he would come to set,” a source told The Sun.
Sydney’s recent political controversy may also have a part to play, as a source told Daily Mail that “it’s a difficult position for Zendaya to be in because if she even stands next to Sydney on the red carpet, it can be read as her excusing Sydney’s views on Trump and her refusal to apologise for the racist ad.”
And until there is anything more substantial, perhaps the kinder approach is to let the women involved have some peace.
Dr Alissa Knight is a clinical psychologist and researcher, AHPRA board approved clinical supervisor, and the founder and director of The Calming Suite Psychology Centre in Adelaide. She is a former professional dancer and Yoga instructor and a dedicated mother to two small children. You can follow Alissa on Instagram here, or find out more about therapy with her at the Calming Suite here.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Share this post