Amanda Seyfried is once again drawing attention for her political views, this time after calling socialism a “gorgeous idea” during a recent podcast appearance that quickly made waves online.
The actress, known for roles in films like Mean Girls, shared her thoughts while reflecting on community, shared responsibility, and what she believes the country has lost in recent years.
A Candid Conversation About Community
Seyfried made the remarks during a conversation on Variety’s “Award Circuit” podcast, where she spoke with host Michael Schneider about the state of the nation while also discussing her role in The Testament of Ann Lee, a musical centered on the founder of the Shakers religious movement.
As the discussion unfolded, Seyfried connected the themes of the project to modern society. “We’re kicking our own out, and then, I keep thinking, thank God we’re talking about Ann Lee so much, because there’s a direct relationship to what she created and what we’re lacking,” she said. “How about we all don’t have any kind of agendas? How about our agenda is take care of each other? Socialism is a gorgeous idea, and I know it doesn’t work perfectly.”
Schneider noted that many people misunderstand what the term socialism actually means, a point Seyfried appeared eager to clarify from her own perspective.
“Taking Care of Each Other”
For Seyfried, the word carries a personal and practical meaning rather than a rigid political label.
“For me, it’s taking care of each other. If I have more money, I can spend more money on other people. Isn’t that right?” Seyfried said.
The conversation then shifted to moments of national unity, with Schneider referencing the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and the sense of collective responsibility that followed.
Seyfried agreed, recalling how people responded without hesitation. “Everybody dropped everything for each other. People sacrificed their lives without a thought in the world.” Still, she questioned why tragedy is often required to bring people together. “And we shouldn’t have to have a meteor or a house-on-fire situation in order to drop everything for each other. That’s just what we are as human beings.”
Standing Firm After Political Backlash
The podcast remarks come amid continued attention on Seyfried’s outspoken political opinions. In another interview published Dec. 10, the actress addressed the backlash she received after calling Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk “hateful” in an Instagram post following his assassination in September.
Seyfried made it clear she had no intention of walking back her comments. “I’m not f—ing apologizing for that,” she said. “I mean, for f—‘s sake, I commented on one thing. I said something that was based on actual reality and actual footage and actual quotes. What I said was pretty damn factual, and I’m free to have an opinion, of course. Thank God for Instagram. I was able to give some clarity, and it was about getting my voice back, because I felt like it had been stolen and recontextualized — which is what people do, of course.”
Despite the controversy, Seyfried acknowledged that navigating politics in the public eye requires restraint, adding that she tries to remember to “keep [her] head on” when weighing in on divisive issues.
As debate over her comments continues, Seyfried appears unfazed, standing by her views and continuing to speak openly about topics she believes deserve attention.
