Sacha Baron Cohen’s Sydney Sweeney Joke Lands Ali G in Hot Water Ahead of His Big-Screen Return

Sacha Baron Cohen has built an entire career on making people squirm, and his Ali G comeback was always going to test how much audiences are willing to laugh at today. The character first appeared in 1998, when his interview with UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali aired on Channel 4’s ‘The 11 O’Clock Show’, before ‘Da Ali G Show’ launched in early 2000.

From there, the tracksuit-wearing poseur became a household name. He landed his first feature, ‘Ali G Indahouse’, in 2002, and Cohen has slipped back into the role over the years, including a surprise appearance at the Academy Awards in 2016.

The long-awaited sequel, ‘Ali G: Who Iz I?’, arrives in theaters on October 23 via Amazon MGM Studios. It also marks Cohen’s feature directorial debut, and the movie was reportedly filmed in secret over the past year.

According to the official logline, Ali G learns after 20 years of slacking that his long-term girlfriend, Julie, is 8 months pregnant, prompting him to head to America to reclaim his former glory. British comedian Morgana Robinson plays Julie, and the trailer shows Ali G vowing to get back on top by making a so-called documentary.

Sacha Baron Cohen’s Ali G on the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger: “The only merger that’s happening tonight is me and Sydney Sweeney’s babylons.” https://t.co/r23NO3zh7r

— Variety (@Variety) October 15, 2026

The rollout hasn’t been smooth, though. The film faced theater boycott calls after its trailer drew accusations of racist stereotypes, and Cohen responded with a publicity stunt that mocked the language of the backlash without fully addressing the objections.

Then came the world premiere on Wednesday, October 14, at the Hollywood Legion Theater in Los Angeles. Appearing in character on the red carpet, Cohen was asked for his thoughts on the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.

Rather than weigh in on the business deal, Ali G ignored the question entirely and made a crude, sexually suggestive quip about Sydney Sweeney, claiming the only merger happening that night would be between him and the actress. He then doubled down with an even more explicit follow-up line in the character’s signature slang.

Sacha Baron Cohen hits the red carpet in character as Ali G at the world premiere of “Ali G: Who Iz I?” last night in Los Angeles. 🎬🔥 📸: Getty https://t.co/yrwjseVygh

— TMZ (@TMZ) October 15, 2026

The clip spread quickly across social media, and the reaction was swift. Many outlets have been covering the criticism, while UNILAD reported that many users were questioning why the character still exists at all.

Much of the backlash focused on the nature of the joke itself. One user argued that misogyny isn’t a punchline, while another dismissed the idea that the character’s ignorance excuses it, calling that a lazy defense.

Others took aim at Ali G more broadly. Some critics suggested the persona has struggled to keep pace with changing social attitudes, with one person quipping that the joke ran dry 25 years ago.

First trailer for ‘ALI G: WHO IZ I?’ Releasing on October 23. https://t.co/GuEBPz6bCj

— Popped🍿 (@PoppedNews) August 25, 2026

Not everyone was offended, however. Some defenders pointed out that Ali G is meant to be ignorant and offensive, arguing that the joke is ultimately on the character rather than on Sweeney. So far, Sweeney has stayed out of the conversation. In the coverage reviewed, neither the actress nor her representatives responded to the remark.

Cohen, meanwhile, appears to be leaning into the controversy rather than retreating from it. For a comedian whose career has been built on provoking uncomfortable reactions and testing the boundaries of good taste, the heat is hardly unfamiliar territory.

The bigger question is whether this kind of attention will help or hurt the film once it reaches theaters next week. With the R-rated comedy promising plenty of outrageous moments, the premiere stunt may only be a preview of the debate still to come.

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