‘I can’t say that’: Sydney Sweeney’s nervous reaction to viral ’67’ TikTok trend raises eyebrows as past controversies resurface
Sydney Sweeney’s recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon took an unexpected turn when a simple guessing game left her feeling unexpectedly nervous.
The 28-year-old actress joined Jimmy Fallon on the December 1 episode, where the two played “What’s Behind Me,” a game that challenges guests to identify what’s being shown on the screen behind them using only Fallon’s clues.
( Image credit : Instagram/fallontonight | Sydney Sweeney’s recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon took an unexpected turn. )
Guessing the Scene: Labubus, Drive-Thrus, and a ‘Scottish Hamburger Place’
As Sweeney faced the crowd, viewers were shown three oversized Labubu dolls performing the viral “six seven” hand trend in the middle of a McDonald’s drive-thru.
“This is unbelievably great,” Fallon teased before beginning the challenge. “Alright, they’re three of the hottest dolls right now that are attached to purses.”
Sweeney immediately recognized the beloved Labubus, prompting Fallon to move on.
Next, he hinted at the setting: “They’re at a fast food [place] where you take your car to get fast food even faster,” leading Sweeney to quickly reply, “a drive-thru.”
When he tried to describe the brand as a “Scottish hamburger place,” Sweeney faltered. Fallon then clarified by mentioning its iconic mascot: “Sorry, sorry! It has a clown. A clown as a mascot,” which allowed her to finally guess McDonald’s.
( Image credit : Instagram/fallontonight | Sydney Sweeney explained her hesitation, admitting she’d seen a clip online where people seemed to be getting in “trouble” for saying it. )
‘Six Seven’ moment that made Sydney Sweeney panic
The challenge shifted when Fallon began hinting at the dolls’ hand gesture – the popular “six seven” trend. That’s when Sweeney suddenly froze. “I can’t say that!” she declared.
Fallon burst into laughter, assuming she was confusing it with a different number. “No, no! You can say it. Subtract two! Subtract two, I think, from what you’re saying.”
Even after understanding Fallon’s joke, Sweeney remained hesitant. “No I can’t say that, that’s the trend!” she insisted. Fallon kept nudging: it was simply a “number” that’s “not 66 or 68.”
Finally, she relented: “I know it’s 67.”
Fallon cheered her on, reassuring her that it wasn’t “dirty.” Sweeney explained her hesitation, admitting she’d seen a clip online where people seemed to be getting in “trouble” for saying it. “I don’t know! I saw that people were getting in trouble for doing it,” she said.
Fans react to Sydney Sweeney’s hesitation
Once the moment hit social media, viewers had plenty to say. Many were baffled that Sweeney considered “six seven” off-limits.
“She has great ‘jeans’ but won’t say 6-7???” one commenter joked on the Tonight Show’s Instagram, referencing her controversial American Eagle campaign.
Another chimed in, “So she draws the line at 67? Right right.”
Sydney Sweeney’s earlier backlash
The confusion around Sweeney’s reluctance comes after a string of controversies she’s faced this year.
Her American Eagle ad earlier in the summer – playing on the line “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans” – sparked backlash when viewers felt the wordplay on “jeans/genes” veered uncomfortably close to eugenics themes. American Eagle later defended the campaign.
Several months later, Sweeney addressed the discourse after choosing not to comment while promoting her film Christy.
“I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans,” she told GQ. “I knew at the end of the day what that ad was for, and it was great jeans, it didn’t affect me one way or the other.”
She added that filming Euphoria season 3 kept her too busy to pay attention to online discussions. “I think that when I have an issue that I want to speak about, people will hear,” she said.
