The Sydney Sweeney Dig By Nate Bargatze At The Emmys That Nobody Caught

Sydney Sweeney turned heads at the 77th annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday night, dazzling in a custom red Oscar de la Renta gown that had fans talking about both her fashion choice and possible hidden messages behind it. The "Euphoria" star served as a presenter during television’s biggest night, but her spotlight moment was nearly overshadowed by a clunky joke from host Nate Bargatze that referenced one of her most controversial headlines of the year. The actress, who has been nominated for two Emmys in past years, was introduced to the stage following a denim-themed bit by Bargatze that attempted to poke fun at Sweeney’s American Eagle ad scandal from July, a campaign that stirred backlash over its reference to her “genetics.” While Sweeney exuded Old Hollywood glamour in her satin gown, the comedian’s joke fell flat both inside the theater and online, where fans quickly panned the moment.

Bargatze appeared on stage in a blue jean tuxedo, telling the audience, “I have a blue jean tux on for some reason. We had, like, a joke. There’s a cummerbund, and I forgot what it ... I don’t know.” The punchline became apparent only when he introduced Sweeney as the next presenter. But the setup left much of the audience puzzled.

One viewer wrote online, “At the Emmy Awards, Nate Bargatze’s attempted humor fell flat… as he introduced Sydney Sweeney, who, dressed in a formal gown, seemingly ignored a punchline that missed the mark altogether.” Someone else said, "Nate Bargatze was so quick with this unscripted joke during an accidental camera slip-up at the Emmys." Another labeled him a “terrible host,” adding, “So Nate dressed down to land a joke and then… didn’t even try to land the joke.”

Even insiders backstage admitted to The Hollywood Reporter that the gag barely registered. “Multiple people attending the awards show said they didn’t pick up on the joke,” the outlet reported, while another source described the audience’s reaction as “tepid.”

Earlier this summer, Sweeney found herself at the center of a heated debate after fronting a now-pulled American Eagle campaign that played on the word “genes.” In the ad, the actress recites, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue.”

The video quickly sparked backlash across social media, with critics accusing the brand of promoting eugenics, a discredited and dangerous ideology historically tied to white supremacy. Others, however, argued the uproar reflected a broader cultural sensitivity in a society already hyper-attuned to how women’s bodies are sexualized in marketing.

Complicating matters further was the campaign’s intended purpose, which was reportedly raising awareness for domestic violence. American Eagle pledged to donate 100% of the purchase price of the jeans to Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit offering critical mental health support. But many questioned whether the hypersexualized imagery clashed with the seriousness of the cause.

Away from the glitz of the Emmys, Sydney Sweeney is gearing up for one of her most chilling roles yet. The two-time Emmy nominee stars opposite Amanda Seyfried in Lionsgate’s upcoming thriller "The Housemaid," directed by Paul Feig and based on Freida McFadden’s best-selling 2022 novel.

In the newly released trailer, Sweeney plays Millie, a desperate young woman who takes a job as a housemaid for a wealthy couple, Nina (Seyfried) and Andrew (Brandon Sklenar). But the glamorous mansion hides sinister secrets, and Millie soon finds herself caught in a dangerous web. “I need this job,” Sweeney’s character pleads in the trailer. “I can’t lose it. I do not want to go back.”

The film also stars Michele Morrone and Elizabeth Perkins, with a screenplay adaptation by Rebecca Sonnenshine. Combining psychological tension with sleek visuals, "The Housemaid" looks poised to be one of the season’s must-see thrillers when it hits theaters on December 19.

While Sweeney has proven her red carpet glamour time and again, her latest film roles show just how far she’s willing to go for her craft. In "Christy," directed by David Michôd, the actress underwent a punishing physical transformation, gaining more than 30 pounds and enduring concussions during months of training for what’s being hailed as a career-best performance.

The story follows Christy Martin’s turbulent life both in and out of the boxing ring, with Sweeney not only capturing the grit of a fighter but also the emotional weight of a woman whose marriage turns violent. The actress revealed that her fight scenes with co-stars were no Hollywood fakery. “We are actually punching each other,” she admitted, per Vanity Fair.

"Christy" is currently streaming on Sling.