Sydney Sweeney’s naked betting ad sparks backlash from female athletes

Sydney Sweeney faces criticism for a new Novig betting commercial featuring her naked, which detractors call a cynical provocation that undermines her past statements against the sexualisation of her body. The ad, which uses sports equipment to cover Sweeney, has drawn anger from female athletes like Ariarne Titmus and Tilly Kearns, who say it invalidates progress in women's sport. Critics also point to inconsistencies with Sweeney's feminist film work and her complaints about dehumanising body discourse. Sweeney has defended the ad as playful, and compared it to ESPN's Body Issue covers, which celebrated athletic strength. However, commentators argue her commercial serves the male gaze for profit, unlike those covers, and suggest audiences should ignore such provocations.