Sydney Sweeney is as soon as once more making headlines after unveiling her boldest journal cowl up to now. The “Euphoria” star graces the duvet of W Journal’s Greatest Performances Situation, celebrating her acclaimed roles in “The Housemaid” and “Christy,” and the hanging picture is already sparking intense dialog on-line. Shot by famend photographer Tyrone Lebon, the duvet locations Sweeney on the middle of a cinematic, Previous Hollywood–impressed second that feels each daring and deeply intentional.
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Sydney Sweeney Leaves Little To The Creativeness In Raunchiest Cowl Of Her Profession
Within the cowl picture, Sweeney seems absolutely nude, her physique subtly illuminated and styled to resemble liquid gold towards a darkish, moody backdrop. Seated sideways and glancing again over her shoulder, the actress channels a Marilyn Monroe vibe with softly curled blonde hair, glowing pores and skin, and a rigorously composed pose. The minimalist styling permits the idea to do the heavy lifting, with the nice and cozy gold tones contrasting towards the shadowy set to create a timeless, virtually cinematic nonetheless.
See the journal cowl here.
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Sweeney’s Nude Gold Cowl Divides The Web

As anticipated, the duvet ignited fast reactions throughout social media. Many followers and trade voices praised the inventive course and Sweeney’s fearlessness, applauding the gold-body idea as “next-level” and calling the picture “beautiful” and “iconic.” One commenter wrote that Sweeney “really deserves the highlight,” whereas others highlighted how seamlessly she continues to “reinvent her picture with out shedding her identification.”
Not all responses had been glowing, nonetheless. A handful of critics questioned the boldness of the shoot, urging for extra restraint. “You may by no means be Marilyn Monroe,” one X person wrote as one other chimed in, “she fell off unhealthy.” Another person expressed, “Disgusting. Maintain it PG.”
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One other sarcastically added, “Oh wow, one other ‘inventive’ nude shoot,” whereas one social media person introduced politics into the equation, writing, “All the time making an attempt to appear to be Marilyn Monroe, in the meantime Marilyn Monroe was generally known as one of the vital progressive, radical leftists of her time and would’ve hated her.”
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Sydney Sweeney Is No Stranger To Controversy

That is by far the primary time that the “Anybody However You” actress has been underneath hearth. Many will bear in mind Sydney Sweeney’s current American Eagle campaign, which drew on-line backlash. What started as a vogue collaboration rapidly snowballed into a bigger cultural debate, with critics dissecting all the pieces from the marketing campaign’s wording to its visible messaging.
Critics rapidly jumped in, claiming the “denims” wordplay doubled as a not-so-subtle nod to “genes,” sparking accusations of racially charged undertones and genetic superiority, whereas others blasted the marketing campaign for catering to the male gaze and echoing Brooke Shields’ controversial 1980 Calvin Klein adverts.
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Sweeney Responds After Being Dragged Into American Eagle Advert Controversy

Following the backlash, Sydney Sweeney spoke out, making it clear that she doesn’t align with the political or ideological interpretations some critics connected to the advert. “I used to be truthfully stunned by the response,” Sweeney advised PEOPLE final yr. “I did it as a result of I like the denims and love the model. I don’t help the views some folks selected to connect with the marketing campaign. Many have assigned motives and labels to me that simply aren’t true.”
The “Anybody However You” actress emphasised that her private mission has all the time been rooted in unity, not division. “Anybody who is aware of me is aware of that I’m all the time making an attempt to convey folks collectively,” she stated. “I’m towards hate and divisiveness.”
Field Workplace Stumbles Observe Sydney Sweeney’s Controversy

The backlash surrounding Sweeney’s American Eagle marketing campaign appeared to coincide with a tough stretch on the field workplace. In November 2025, Forbes reported that her movie “Christy” delivered what was described as “one of many worst openings in field workplace historical past.” Simply months earlier, Deadline reported that Sweeney’s movie “Eden” additionally bombed theatrically.
Nonetheless, indicators level to a rebound. Sweeney’s newest launch, “The Housemaid,” which additionally stars Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar, has rapidly shifted the narrative, racking up $46.5 million on the home field workplace in simply 10 days.
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Whereas the American Eagle controversy has largely light and “The Housemaid” is now posting robust field workplace numbers, it stays to be seen whether or not the newest uproar surrounding Sweeney’s bare journal cowl could have any influence on her profession momentum.

