Sydney Sweeney is losing a massive amount of followers on Instagram after her controversial ad for a sports betting app.
The Euphoria actor, 29, has faced heaps of backlash since she appeared nude in a recent ad campaign for American gambling platform Novig, sparking criticism that the 60-second commercial — which features her strategically hiding parts of her naked body behind sports equipment — sexualizes female athletes and disrespects women as a whole.
Despite the backlash, Sweeney initially gained more followers on the platform in the days after she first shared the ad on Instagram last Wednesday.
Then, according to data gathered by social media analytics firm Social Blade, thousands of Sweeney’s followers hit the unfollow button Sunday — the same day that the actor appeared to respond to the criticism by wordlessly sharing pictures of female athletes who had previously taken pictures in the nude for magazine covers on her Instagram Story.
Sweeney lost 136,848 followers Sunday, according to the data, and another 66,446 on Monday. However, the 200,000 followers she lost make up less than one percent of her more than 25 million followers. Plus, in the days after the huge loss, she regained over 116,000 follows.
The Independent has contacted Sweeney for further comment.
In what seemed to be her response to the backlash, Sweeney had posted nude campaigns of Serena Williams, Ronda Rousey, Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe and Caroline Wozniacki. She also highlighted male athletes who have done the same: Myles Garrett, Rob Gronkowski, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Jason Kelce.
She said in a statement about the ad last week: “The campaign was about embracing a fun idea. 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.”
Sweeney joined the sports prediction market platform as a strategic partner and equity holder.
Athletes from all over the world shared their distaste for the commercial after it was released.
Four-time Olympic swimming gold medalist Ariarne Titmus wrote on Instagram: “I can’t describe how infuriated I feel when I watch this. How do we live in a world where monetizing a woman’s body and sexualizing women’s sport is still a thing?”
After placing fourth in the 200 meters Sunday at the Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary, British sprinter Amy Hunter said in a message to Sweeney on BBC: “Sydney Sweeney, this is what women in sport look like. Muscles, hard work, sweat, blood, tears.”
