Sydney Sweeney has fired a cryptic dig at those criticising her naked sports betting adverts including England ace Lauren Bell and Team GB hero Amy Hunt.
The Hollywood actress, 29, appeared naked in an advert for Novig, where she strategically posed behind various sports equipment. Her trailer has gone viral on social media, with many fans praising the campaign, which promotes an array of sports such as American football, ice hockey, tennis, baseball and basketball. However, others have not been impressed by it and the Euphoria star has been accused of trying to sexualise women’s sport by many female athletes.
England cricket ace Lauren Bell reposted a video from political activist Mary McCarths, which begins by her saying: “Sydney Sweeney I hate your ad!” And British sprinter Amy Hunt referenced the advert after she ran a season’s best 22.10 seconds to finish fourth in the 200m final at the Ultimate Championship in Budapest on Sunday.
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“Sydney Sweeney, this is what women in sport look like,” the four-time European Championships medalist said in her post-race interview with BBC Sport.
Referring to Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s winning time of 21.47 seconds, the fourth fastest ever over the distance, she added: “21.4. Muscles. Hard work, blood, sweat, tears. This is a beautiful evening.”
In response to all of the criticism, Sweeney has hit out at her critics.
WARNING, NUDITY BELOW
She responded by sharing pictures of male athletes posing for adverts without any clothes on, reports the Express.
Among those notable stars were multiple time women’s World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe, former World No. 1 tennis player Caroline Wozniacki and NFL ace Jason Kelce.
Commenting on the original post, ex-tennis player Zuzia Dziewiecka said: “As a former athlete and a woman who has personally experienced sexualized comments, I’m genuinely disgusted and deeply disappointed by this campaign.
“We’ve spent years fighting to be seen and respected for our talent, strength, and achievements-not reduced to our bodies…”
She wasn’t the sole critic of the advert, with another commenter stating: “By far the worst commercial I have ever seen.” A third added: “Thank you for undoing everything women try to build in sports.”
Retired Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus also lambasted the advert. “I can’t describe how infuriated I feel when I watch this,” she penned on Instagram.
“Not 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 – teamwork, friendship, dedication, excellence, unity ….
“How do we live in a world where monetising a women’s body and sexualising women’s sport is still a thing?”
In retaliation, numerous female athletes showcased highlights of their careers and achievements following the lead of American gymnast Gracie Kramer, who stated: “This is what a woman in sport looks like.”
Sweeney holds an equity stake in Novig and according to the company’s founder and CEO, Jacob Fortinsky, she proposed the idea of posing nude for the advertisement. Her collaboration with the company is reportedly due to their exclusive focus on sport.
Fortinsky, speaking to Front Office Sports, claims Sweeney said: ‘I’m uncomfortable with other platforms that have markets on what colour underwear I’m going to wear.”
“Sydney is great at captivating audiences and being the centre of attention,” he further added. “In some sense, it forces us into the national discourse.”