Megyn Kelly Defends Sydney Sweeney Amid Ad Backlash, Cites Republican Ties
Kelly argues that Sweeney is being unfairly targeted for a provocative ad campaign, suggesting her political affiliation is a motivating factor.
Megyn Kelly has spoken out in defense of actress Sydney Sweeney, suggesting that criticism of Sweeney's recent racy advertisement for a sports prediction market is fueled by her political affiliation. Kelly asserted on her podcast, "The Megyn Kelly Show," that Sweeney is being singled out because she is a registered Republican.
Kelly criticized the backlash to Sweeney's nearly nude campaign for the sports prediction market Novig, which has drawn criticism from several female athletes who have voiced concerns that the advertisement demeans women in sports. Kelly argued that the use of sex appeal in advertising to market products to predominantly male sports audiences is a long-standing practice.
"Since the dawn of time, we’ve been selling sports to men by using sexy women in ads that air during the sporting events, in the bars where they watch the sporting events, in products around the sporting events," Kelly stated. "Men tend to like sports and beer and sexy women, and this is not particularly controversial — until now, until this year, until Sydney Sweeney is the woman, I guess, who is a registered Republican and did the controversial jeans ad, so she must be punished."
Kelly was referring to a previous campaign for American Eagle jeans that also faced criticism. Sweeney's voter registration in Florida has been reported as Republican since June 2024, though she has not publicly endorsed any political candidate.
The Novig campaign, launched on September 9, features the 29-year-old "Euphoria" star scantily clad in sporting equipment. Sweeney is a strategic partner and equity holder in Novig, and she has stated her involvement in the creative process from its inception.
Female athletes, including British sprinter Amy Hunt and former US gymnast Gracie Kramer, have publicly responded to the ad. Kramer posted a compilation of her athletic achievements, stating, "I don’t know what Sydney Sweeney was doing, but this is what a woman in sports looks like." Hunt also expressed her perspective, emphasizing "Muscles, hard work, sweat, blood, tears."
Kelly countered these criticisms by arguing that Sweeney never presented herself as an archetype of a female athlete in the advertisement. "She never purported to be a woman in sports," Kelly said. "She never said this is what a woman in sports looks like." Kelly's guest, Emily Jashinsky, agreed, describing the critics' interpretations as an "incredible stretch."
Kelly also defended Sweeney's decision to appear in the advertisement, suggesting a double standard regarding female sexuality. "If I look like that, I’d be doing nude ads too," Kelly commented. "They’re so judgy about a gorgeous woman who wants to show it."
Kelly reiterated her belief that political motivations are contributing to the hostility directed at Sweeney, stating, "When you have that person emerge in 2026, almost 2027, America, she has to be shamed. Why again? Because she’s a Republican."