Sydney Sweeney Under Fire Again After Posing Nude In Provocative Magazine Shoot

Sydney Sweeney is once again making headlines after unveiling her boldest magazine cover to date. The "Euphoria" star graces the cover of W Magazine’s Best Performances Issue, celebrating her acclaimed roles in "The Housemaid" and "Christy," and the striking image is already sparking intense conversation online. Shot by renowned photographer Tyrone Lebon, the cover places Sweeney at the center of a cinematic, Old Hollywood–inspired moment that feels both daring and deeply intentional.

In the cover image, Sweeney appears fully nude, her body subtly illuminated and styled to resemble liquid gold against a dark, moody backdrop. Seated sideways and glancing back over her shoulder, the actress channels a Marilyn Monroe vibe with softly curled blonde hair, glowing skin, and a carefully composed pose. The minimalist styling allows the concept to do the heavy lifting, with the warm gold tones contrasting against the shadowy set to create a timeless, almost cinematic still.

See the magazine cover here.

As expected, the cover ignited immediate reactions across social media. Many fans and industry voices praised the artistic direction and Sweeney’s fearlessness, applauding the gold-body concept as “next-level” and calling the image “stunning” and “iconic.” One commenter wrote that Sweeney “truly deserves the spotlight,” while others highlighted how seamlessly she continues to "reinvent her image without losing her identity."

Not all responses were glowing, however. A handful of critics questioned the boldness of the shoot, urging for more restraint. "You can never be Marilyn Monroe," one X user wrote as another chimed in, "she fell off bad." Someone else expressed, "Disgusting. Keep it PG."

Another sarcastically added, "Oh wow, another 'artistic' nude shoot," while one social media user brought politics into the equation, writing, "Always trying to look like Marilyn Monroe, meanwhile Marilyn Monroe was known as one of the most progressive, radical leftists of her time and would’ve hated her."

This is by far the first time that the "Anyone But You" actress has been under fire. Many will remember Sydney Sweeney's recent American Eagle campaign, which drew online backlash. What began as a fashion collaboration quickly snowballed into a larger cultural debate, with critics dissecting everything from the campaign’s wording to its visual messaging.

Critics quickly jumped in, claiming the “jeans” wordplay doubled as a not-so-subtle nod to “genes,” sparking accusations of racially charged undertones and genetic superiority, while others blasted the campaign for catering to the male gaze and echoing Brooke Shields’ controversial 1980 Calvin Klein ads.

Following the backlash, Sydney Sweeney spoke out, making it clear that she does not align with the political or ideological interpretations some critics attached to the ad. “I was honestly surprised by the reaction,” Sweeney told PEOPLE last year. “I did it because I love the jeans and love the brand. I don’t support the views some people chose to connect to the campaign. Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just aren’t true.”

The "Anyone But You" actress emphasized that her personal mission has always been rooted in unity, not division. “Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always trying to bring people together,” she said. “I’m against hate and divisiveness.”

The backlash surrounding Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign appeared to coincide with a rough stretch at the box office. In November 2025, Forbes reported that her film "Christy" delivered what was described as “one of the worst openings in box office history.” Just months earlier, Deadline reported that Sweeney’s film "Eden" also bombed theatrically.

Still, signs point to a rebound. Sweeney’s latest release, "The Housemaid," which also stars Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar, has quickly shifted the narrative, racking up $46.5 million at the domestic box office in just 10 days.

While the American Eagle controversy has largely faded and "The Housemaid" is now posting strong box office numbers, it remains to be seen whether the latest uproar surrounding Sweeney’s naked magazine cover will have any impact on her career momentum.