Sophie Cunningham has weighed in on the ongoing drama surrounding Sydney Sweeney’s controversial sports ad. The ad, posted last week, has drawn severe criticism from fans and sportspersons alike, claiming that the campaign overly sexualizes the female body to promote sports, which have traditionally been a male-dominated field. Cunningham has a different approach to the situation.
During the September 17, 2026 episode of her podcast, No Hesitation, Cunningham shared her thoughts on Sweeney’s campaign for the sports trading app Novig after receiving comments and DMs about sharing her stance. The campaign features the Euphoria actress posing mostly nude, using sports equipment, including footballs and a basketball hoop, to cover herself.
Sophie Cunningham says Sydney Sweeney’s ad is ‘unauthentic’
The imagery has drawn immense backlash from athletes and social media users who argue that it sexualizes women in a field where female athletes have long fought to be recognized for their skills and achievements. But Cunningham, a female athlete herself, questioned why Sweeney was suddenly being singled out for agreeing to do the ad. The Indiana Fever guard said on the podcast:
“Why are girls mad? That is literally what she does. Why is anyone mad? It is a gambling ad. Men, sports, pretty much naked women. Of course that’s going to draw attention… Again, do I agree with it? Uh, morally, I think it’s kind of weird, but like, to each their own. Go do your thing, sis.”
Although Cunningham said she wasn’t surprised by the campaign, she admitted she didn’t particularly like the ad herself. She added that Sweeney’s public image made the campaign unsurprising to her, but the idea itself felt ‘unauthentic.’ She remarked:
“I have so many takes, but like it’s just, first of all, like, does she even gamble on sports? It’s just so unauthentic. You know what I mean? Am I surprised of how she represented the brand? No. That’s what she’s made her whole career off.”
Cunningham acknowledged that the ad could seem troubling from the perspective of women who have spent years pushing for greater respect in sports. But she said she ultimately sees Sweeney’s campaign as separate from the work female athletes are doing.
Cunningham also pointed to what she sees as a positive outcome of the debate: more attention being given to female athletes and their strength. She added that she didn’t believe the campaign was designed to target women in sports, though she could understand why some women might initially feel discouraged by the representation, especially given the effort it has taken for female athletes to earn recognition. Cunningham herself has posed in a bikini for Sports Illustrated magazine covers, and to her, it has nothing to do with aiming at a female athlete’s sexuality. She remarked:
“I don’t think the ad was coming for women in sport, but … I think it has been so cool to see girls who, you know what, they’re muscly, their thighs touch, they have broad shoulders, they might be taller than the average girl and probably the average boy, but you know what, I think that’s what, that’s what it is. Like, you gotta embrace your power.”
Sydney Sweeney responds after her Novig campaign draws mixed reactions
The Novig campaign has prompted sharply different reactions online. Some viewers have criticized the use of Sweeney’s body in a sports-related advertisement, while others have defended the actress and praised the campaign for grabbing attention. The Housemaid actress also appeared to respond to the criticism that has long followed her for slipping out of her clothes. She shared images of prominent athletes who have posed nude for magazine covers, including Serena Williams and Ronda Rousey.
The actress described the campaign as a playful concept intended to cut through the noise and focus attention on sports. According to a statement reported by Variety, Sweeney said the idea was meant to bring confidence, humor, and a playful edge to the campaign.
Novig CEO Jacob Fortinsky has also said Sweeney had a lot to do with the way the campaign was designed. He argued that it was “Sydney who was driving a lot of the visuals and the messaging,” noting that the brand is “hugely supportive of women’s sports.”
What is your take on the controversial Novic campaign, and Sophia Cunningham’s reaction to it?
Image courtesy: Sophie Cunningham/Instagram, Sydney Sweeney/Instagram, Reuters
Read Next: Dakota Johnson Breaks Silence On Current Dynamics With Ex-BF Role Model Amid Sharing Her Baby Plans
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: bollywoodshaadis.com
