Sydney Sweeney Unveils New Look Amidst Ad Controversy

Actress Sydney Sweeney was recently seen sporting a new look, a brunette wig, while visiting the Santa Monica pier with a friend. This public appearance comes shortly after her involvement in a commercial for the sports betting company Novig sparked widespread debate.

Sweeney shared photos of her outing on social media, captioning the post with "When ur bestie shows up and says 'here put this wig on.'" The change in appearance garnered attention, with some social media users expressing approval for her brunette style.

The public outing occurred amidst ongoing backlash over her Novig advertisement. The commercial, in which Sweeney appeared nearly nude while promoting the platform as "just sports," drew criticism from various figures, including female athletes. Swimmer Ariarne Titmus called the ad a "kick in the face" to women dedicated to sports, while gymnast Gracie Kramer accused the company of marketing women's sports through a "male gaze."

In response to the criticism, Sweeney appeared to address the controversy by sharing images of other prominent female athletes, such as Serena Williams and Megan Rapinoe, who had previously posed nude for ESPN's Body Issue. She later doubled down on the Novig campaign with a second ad, in which she appeared in white underwear while strategically covering herself with footballs. In the new commercial, Sweeney humorously remarks on the attention, stating, "There are grown men making spreadsheets to bet on what color underwear I’m wearing... I mean, I’m flattered?"

Billy Bush defended Sweeney's marketing strategy, calling it "brilliant" and noting that she secured equity in Novig before the ad gained significant traction. Bush compared the situation to past controversies involving brands like American Eagle and ESPN's Body Issue, suggesting that public outrage often subsides over time.