Sydney Sweeney Faces Backlash Over Risqué Ad

Actress Sydney Sweeney is reportedly struggling emotionally amid significant criticism for her recent nude advertisement. Sources indicate that behind closed doors, Sweeney has been very upset and unable to comprehend the extent of the backlash, feeling she is unfairly targeted. The nude ad campaign has also reportedly caused a "disaster" from a business perspective, resulting in substantial losses of social media followers and a decline in sales for her lingerie line, SYRN.

Sweeney's representatives maintain her intention was not to demean female athletes or any women, but rather to present herself professionally. She reportedly feels unfairly singled out, pointing to other prominent female figures in Hollywood, such as Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Jennifer Lopez, who have similarly leveraged their physiques for financial gain without facing comparable public condemnation. This added pressure exacerbates existing career-related stress.

The controversy stems from a bare-bodied advertisement for Novig, which some critics, including athletes, have accused of promoting the sexualization of female sportspersons. Sweeney's subsequent sharing of nude athlete photos from ESPN's Body Issue was perceived by some as a retort, though it drew further criticism, notably from Serena Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian, who argued it was an inappropriate comparison. Athletes like Ariarne Titmus also voiced strong disapproval, stating the ad undermined years of dedication by female athletes.