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Sydney Sweeney faces athlete backlash over nude sports ad
American actress Sydney Sweeney is facing intense backlash from professional athletes following a controversial advertisement for the sports prediction platform Novig. In the campaign, titled ‘Just Sports,’ Sweeney appears nearly or fully nude, using various pieces of athletic equipment such as basketballs, footballs, and tennis rackets to cover her body.
Numerous high-profile female athletes have condemned the ad, accusing it of sexualizing women in sports and undermining decades of progress toward professional recognition. Australian Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus described the campaign as a ‘kick in the face’ to women who dedicate their lives to their craft. British sprinter Amy Hunt and gymnast Gracie Kramer also criticized the imagery, arguing that it prioritizes the female body over athletic skill, strength, and hard work.
Sweeney, who is also a strategic partner and equity holder in Novig, has responded to the criticism by sharing social media stories featuring famous athletes, such as Serena Williams and Ronda Rousey, who have previously posed nude for magazines. The controversy has also impacted Sweeney’s social media presence, with reports indicating she lost over 200,000 Instagram followers following the backlash.
Entities
Amy Hunt · Ariarne Titmus · Bree Masters · Gracie Kramer · Matilda Tilly Kearns · Novig · Rennae Stubbs · Sydney Sweeney · Tilly Kearns