‘Euphoria’ Star Sydney Sweeney Loses 200,000 Followers After Controversial Ad Backlash
Sydney Sweeney has seen a drop of around 200,000 social media followers following her appearance in a controversial advertisement for the sports betting company Novig. The ad features the actress in minimal clothing, with sports equipment strategically placed, igniting a heated online debate and drawing criticism from various figures in the sports community.
Data from Variety indicates that Sweeney initially gained approximately 50,000 new followers after the ad was released. However, this was soon overshadowed by a significant loss, with around 200,000 users ultimately unfollowing her. Despite this decline, it represents a small fraction of her overall audience, as Sweeney boasts around 25 million followers on Instagram.
Reactions to the campaign have been mixed. While some view the advertisement as a daring and playful attention-grabber, others argue it crosses a line by exploiting a woman’s body to promote sports and betting. This campaign has also sparked discussions about the portrayal of women in sports-related advertising.
Sweeney has stood by the campaign’s concept and shows no signs of retreating from it. In the wake of the criticism, she has continued to share clips from the advertisement on her social media, indicating her commitment to promoting the campaign despite the backlash.
“The campaign was about embracing a fun idea,” Sweeney stated, also taking on the role of a strategic partner and equity holder with Novig. “The concept is simple: cut through the noise and put the focus entirely on sports. The campaign brings that idea to life with confidence, humor, and a playful edge.”
“Sports fans deserve a prediction market built specifically for them,” said Jacob Fortinsky, co-founder and CEO of Novig. “There are many places where people can engage with prediction markets across different categories. Our focus is sports, and by dedicating ourselves entirely to sports, we have built a better experience for fans. Sydney helped bring that message to life in a way that’s impossible to ignore.”
However, not everyone found the campaign amusing or harmless. One of the most vocal critics was Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, who openly condemned the advertisement and questioned the acceptability of such marketing.
“I can’t describe how angry I am about this. How is it possible that we still live in a world where monetizing women’s bodies and sexualizing women’s sports is considered normal?” Titmus expressed.
Her remarks added another dimension to the ongoing discussion. Critics argue that this issue extends beyond a single advertisement or celebrity, highlighting that women in sports already face scrutiny regarding their appearance, and campaigns like this exacerbate that challenge.
Marissa Womack, a promotions and game-day manager for the Harrisburg Senators baseball team, also voiced her opposition to the campaign. She clarified that her criticism stems from her experiences in a male-dominated industry, not from jealousy.
“It’s about the passion and enjoyment of working in this industry. When we are shown only through sexualization, fewer young women will want to build careers in this business,” Womack remarked.
This debate arises as Sweeney continues to be one of Hollywood’s most prominent young stars. Her extensive social media following means that any major campaign she joins is likely to generate significant attention, both positive and negative.
Currently, Sweeney seems unfazed by the controversy. Instead of retracting the advertisement or remaining silent, she has persisted in sharing related content, suggesting that the backlash has not altered her perspective on the campaign.
The long-term impact of this controversy on her career remains uncertain. While losing 200,000 followers appears substantial, it constitutes a minor percentage of her total audience of approximately 25 million.
What is evident is that the Novig campaign has ignited a broader conversation regarding advertising, the portrayal of women’s bodies, and the marketing of sports. Although Sweeney may have lost followers, the controversy has ensured that many are discussing the campaign.
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