{"id":20869,"date":"2026-09-14T19:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T19:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/graziav2\/?p=20869"},"modified":"2026-09-14T12:32:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T12:32:19","slug":"sydney-sweeneys-intimate-photo-stunt-causes-major-backlash-her-response-is-even-more-shocking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/graziav2\/2026\/09\/14\/sydney-sweeneys-intimate-photo-stunt-causes-major-backlash-her-response-is-even-more-shocking\/","title":{"rendered":"Sydney Sweeney’s intimate photo stunt causes major backlash – her response is even more shocking"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sydney Sweeney doubles down after intimate advert backlash<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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The Euphoria actress is no stranger to controversy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WORDS JESSICA BARRETT<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
\"Sydney<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sydney Sweeney seems to get a kick out of making controversial moves, whether they\u2019re in the professional world or her private life. But her latest venture has landed the 29-year-old actor in particularly uncomfortable territory, with backlash growing from female athletes who are accusing her of making a mockery of women\u2019s sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Euphoria star is the face of a new advertising campaign for US sports prediction market Novig. In the advert, Sweeney appears in various states of undress while pretending to play ice hockey, American football, tennis and basketball. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tagline reads: \u2018Confirmed: Sydney Sweeney knows ball\u2019.The concept, which launched last week was intended to be playful. It has, however, majorly missed the mark, prompting a furious response from some of the very women whose sporting achievements the campaign claims to celebrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sydney<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Retired Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus was among the most vocal critics, describing the advert as \u2018bullshit\u2019 marketing and saying she was \u2018infuriated\u2019 by what she had watched. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Not only is it a kick in the face to every woman who had dedicated her life to perfecting her craft, but every woman who enjoys sports for what it really is \u2013 teamwork, friendship, dedication, excellence, unity,\u2019 the four-time Olympic gold medallist wrote on Instagram. \u2018How do we live in a world where monetising a woman\u2019s body and sexualising women\u2019s sport is still a thing?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her frustration was echoed by water polo silver medallist Tilly Kearns, who wrote that she \u2018absolutely f***ing hates Sydney Sweeney\u2019s new sports ad\u2019, before sharing footage of the Australian water polo team as an example of \u2018real women\u2019s sports content\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sydney<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

British track star Amy Hunt also used her post-race interview at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship to deliver a pointed message: \u2018Sydney Sweeney, this is what women\u2019s sport looks like!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The backlash only kept growing. Olympic weightlifting coach Danielle Bagacay called the campaign an ongoing example of the sexualisation of women, while ex-Olympic runner Hannah Williams described it as a \u2018disgrace for women in sports\u2019, where female athletes are \u2018constantly trying to be respected in a male dominated field\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile world champion boxer Skye Nicolson highlighted the issue with the campaign using sexuality to sell sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Confirmed: Sydney Sweeney knows ball. pic.twitter.com\/EXQ4PzVZsi<\/a><\/p>— Novig (@Novig) September 9, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>