Sydney Sweeney Criticized for Provocative Sports Ad

Actress Sydney Sweeney is facing criticism following her participation in a provocative ad campaign for the sports prediction platform Novig. The campaign, which features Sweeney in revealing poses with sports equipment, has sparked backlash, particularly from female athletes.

At the Variety’s 2026 Power of Women event in Los Angeles, Sharon Stone, a co-star from HBO’s “Euphoria,” openly criticized Sweeney. Stone suggested that the actress should take accountability for her actions, which have added to the controversy surrounding the ad. “It’s up to her to take responsibility for her actions,” Stone stated, emphasizing her support for women champions in sports rather than the choices made in advertisements.

Criticism has also poured in from other sectors. Australian Olympic gold medalist swimmer Ariarne Titmus expressed her anger over the ad on social media, questioning why sexualizing women’s sports persists. British sprinter Amy Hunt echoed similar sentiments, contrasting the image portrayed in the ad with the reality of women in sports, where dedication and hard work are key.

Sweeney has responded to the criticism by sharing images on social media of well-known athletes like Serena Williams and Ronda Rousey appearing nude for ESPN magazine. This attempt was meant to redirect the dialogue and normalize how women’s bodies are portrayed in sports media.

Meanwhile, the managing editor of Newsbusters, Curtis Houck, offered a different perspective, suggesting that the backlash may be fueled by jealousy and political motivations. He criticized Sharon Stone’s reaction, remarking that the controversy over Sweeney’s ad has been exaggerated.

The discussion continues, and both Sweeney and Stone have been reached for further comments. The situation highlights the ongoing debate over the portrayal of women in media and sports.