Conservative commentator Sydney Watson reckons the world is 'living through an incredibly dumb period of time' and has expressed admiration for Tony Abbott and Pauline Hanson.
The prominent Melbourne-raised US resident recently shot to fame after being squashed between 'two obese people' on a flight and complaining about it.
Watson, 29, created an online storm and made headlines around the world after she sent photos of her predicament to her social media followers.
But the extent of her fanbase - 800,000 YouTube subscribers, 411,000 Twitter followers, regular TV appearances and articles - showed she had already made big waves in conservative commentary since moving to the US in 2019.
In an exclusive interview, she told Daily Mail Australia about how her childhood and early experiences in Australia helped shape her into the adult she has become and shared her explosive views on how the world became 'a lot less clever'.
Australian conservative commentator Sydney Watson (pictured) reckons the world is 'living through an incredibly dumb period of time'
'My background was split, you could say, between two very different parents: my mum is a classic American who is very much about individual freedom, and my dad is a traditional, cheeky Australian from Western Australia,' she said.
'Growing up between these two attitudes was interesting.
'High school wasn't for me, and I certainly wouldn't classify myself as a child who 'fit in'. I was awkward, gangly and very opinionated - and also going through an unfortunate 'emo' phase where I was a sight to behold.
'I think that sometimes made me a hard pill to swallow for other students.'
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ShareWatson said the University of Melbourne 'was a different beast entirely', where she studied criminology, thinking she'd go into law, but ended up with a master's degree in journalism.
'Looking back on it, my experiences in Australia did likely shape my political opinions. Although, since moving to the United States, I do realise that I don't fall neatly anywhere politically.'
She feels many of her views are too 'American' to align with Australians, and vice versa. 'It puts you in this strange position where you're always making someone cross for never being wholly on one side or the other.'
Her 'business-orientated family' taught her the value of hard work from a young age.
Sydney Watson (pictured) said her experiences in Australia shaped her political opinions
'I have plenty of memories going to work with my dad – he would put us kids to work. Being in an environment where my parents were self-employed shaped a lot of how I view work, government, taxes and so on.
'I have a lot of respect for people who are able to build something from the ground up. There was also no room ever for complaining or making excuses, and this also shaped the way I approach the world.'
Watson is grateful for her childhood and upbringing in Melbourne, 'because I think Australians have some really great characteristics'.
'I diverge from some typical Australian beliefs now as an adult, but that's likely because I grew up with a lot of American influence from my mum.'
Sydney Watson has expressed respect for Pauline Hanson (pictured left) and Tony Abbott (right)
Though she wasn't particularly interested in Australian politicians growing up, there were two that stood out - former prime minister Tony Abbott and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
She said Mr Abbott is 'one of the legitimate ones with his heart in the right place. That's something I know now is lacking most often as far as politicians go...
'There is no politician that I think is infallible ... however, I've always respected Pauline Hanson's tenacity.
'I think she's been misrepresented on more than one occasion, and while people might not like her delivery/actions, I think many of her initiatives are good ones.'
Sydney Watson created an online storm and made headlines around the world after she sent photos (pictured) of her 'wedged between two obese people' on a flight to her social media followers
Watson believes 'politics is a game of staying in power, rather than trying to achieve anything of notable significance that will enhance or improve the lives of citizens'.
'Any politician who can rise above self-service and actually put the interests of the people first will always be worthy of respect as far as I'm concerned.'
She added 'that does not include the lunatics who do things under the guise of the greater good while they make side deals to line their own pockets and advance their own interests'.
Though she holds a dim view of most politicians, Watson moved to America because she thought there was greater opportunity there 'to get involved in political commentary, and hopefully, societal change'.
'I realised early on that a lot of Australians are disconnected politically - not that I necessarily blame them, it can be toxic ...
'America is polarised, but at least both sides of the aisle have a decent understanding of what's happening politically and how that might affect them. Americans also have a good understanding of their rights and freedoms.
The world is becoming increasingly polarised, said commentator Sydney Watson (pictured)
Sydney Watson (pictured) has criticised what she called 'blind faith in the government'
'Australians have different considerations and politics is not one of them. I felt like this put me at odds with some of the values I see in my fellow Aussies.'
In Australia, she was disturbed by the view that security is more important than freedom and what she called 'blind faith in the government and its associated entities'.
The US, where she is a regular guest on One American News, America Tonight and America First, has provided more outlets for Watson's conservative views than Australia.
But, as with Australian politicians, she also does not put US politicians on a pedestal.
'Largely, I think they're in their positions to advance their own interests. America has a huge problem with career politicians and that's probably what's landed the country in so much trouble.'
She does have some respect though for Texas governor Greg Abbott and Florida governor, Ron DeSantis.
'As far as doing their jobs and representing their people go, they get more ticks than crosses - although, the bar isn't set very high.'
Watson said that as people have access to ever more information, 'we've actually become a lot less clever'.
'We're more plugged in, more connected than ever, but the sad reality is that people are so disconnected from the real world.'
Watson says that as people have access to ever more information, 'we've actually become a lot less clever'
She does not exonerate herself from being part of the problem of online connection leading to real world disconnection.
'The polarisation - that I have participated in - has gotten worse and worse. I don't view that as a net societal positive. People are inundated with information, but all of it has spin.'
Watson's view is that the world is being subjected to unnecessary fear campaigns from all sides of politics.
'Everything politically seems like the end of the world - the fear porn we've all seen over the last few years is a prime example of that. And the problem is, what's true, fair and accurate isn't easily discernible any more.'
She said a fixation on what people read and view online has led some to 'believe things that are certifiably untrue – that biology doesn't matter, being a female is a 'feeling', that government knows best, that you can be obese and healthy etc.
Though Sydney Watson (pictured) is happy for now living in the US, she 'always intended on coming home' to Australia
'The institutions in which we used to put our faith have lost all credibility. I think there's an observable complacency and laziness in a large portion of the population that isn't a good thing ...
'If we are forced to deny basic reality in order to accommodate the feelings of others, then yes, I think we are living through an incredibly dumb period of time.'
Though she is happy for now living in the US, she 'always intended on coming home. And I wanted to try to help the country as best I could.
'I believe that most Aussies, when it comes down to it, think like I do about most issues, and I think they should see those values reflected back at them.
'It's either that, or I'll become the country's leader and give them freedom whether they like it or not,' she said with a laugh.
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