Amanda Seyfried has once again stirred conversation with her political views, this time lauding socialism as a “gorgeous idea” grounded in the principles of collective care and responsibility. Her remarks came during a recent appearance on a podcast, where she reignited interest in her candid political expressions.

While speaking on Variety’s Award Circuit podcast, the 40-year-old actress, known for her role in Mamma Mia!, was promoting The Testament of Ann Lee. This musical focuses on the founder of the Shakers, an 18th-century religious group known for its communal lifestyle.

In a discussion with host Michael Schneider about the current state of affairs in the United States, Seyfried highlighted the Shaker movement’s principles, suggesting they embody what she sees lacking in today’s society.

“We’re kicking our own out,” Seyfried noted, emphasizing the relevance of Ann Lee’s teachings. “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 went on to propose an agenda-free approach to societal care, stating, “How about we all don’t have any kind of agendas? How about our agenda is to take care of each other? Socialism is a gorgeous idea, and I know it doesn’t work perfectly.”

Schneider noted that the term socialism often carries different meanings depending on who is using it, prompting Seyfried to explain how she personally understands the concept.

‘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?’ she said.

The discussion later turned to moments of national solidarity, with Schneider pointing to the period following the September 11 attacks as an example of Americans acting selflessly toward one another.

Amanda Seyfried praised socialism as a ‘gorgeous idea’ during a recent appearance on Variety’s Award Circuit podcast

Amanda Seyfried attends the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations in New York City on December 10, 2025

Charlie Kirk, the founder of conservative group Turning Point USA, was described by Amanda Seyfried as ‘hateful’ in a past Instagram post she later defended

‘Everybody dropped everything for each other. People sacrificed their lives without a thought in the world,’ Seyfried said.

She added that such unity should not require catastrophe to emerge.

‘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,’ she said.

Seyfried’s remarks came days after she rejected calls to apologize for comments she made about Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk following his assassination in September.

In an interview with Who What Wear published December 10, the actress addressed backlash over an Instagram post in which she described Kirk as ‘hateful,’ insisting she stood by her words.

‘I’m not f—ing apologizing for that,’ Seyfried 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,’ she added.

Seyfried said speaking out publicly was a way of reclaiming control over how her views were portrayed.

‘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,’ she said.

Amanda Seyfried stars in a newly released film ‘The Housemaid,’ where she co-stars alongside Sydney Sweeney

She added that navigating political conversations requires restraint, saying she has to remember to ‘keep [her] head on’ when engaging with divisive issues.

Seyfried, who is known for her roles in Mean Girls and Jennifer’s Body, currently stars in the newly released film The Housemaid, where she co-stars alongside Sydney Sweeney, an actress who has become a political lightning rod in recent months.

Sweeney, 28, sparked a social media firestorm this summer over an American Eagle jeans advertisement that played on the phrase ‘good genes,’ with critics accusing the campaign of echoing ‘Nazi propaganda’ by featuring a blonde, blue-eyed star.

In the wake of the backlash, reports emerged that Sweeney was a registered Republican, prompting condemnation from some left-leaning fans. 

President Donald Trump later weighed in on the controversy, joking: ‘Now I love her ad.’