Sharon Stone stated that Sydney Sweeney must take responsibility for the controversial advertisement featuring the betting platform Novin, in which Sweeney appears. Stone made the comments in an interview with People magazine at the Power of Women event, organised by Variety, on Wednesday.
The advertisement features Sweeney appearing almost naked, covering her breasts with her hands, and posing in provocative positions with sports equipment. The ad tells viewers that the new app offers "only sport", with Sweeney stating: "Only you, your predictions, and sport". The advertisement promotes betting on the NBA, the NFL, and other sports leagues.
Stone, who is 68, and Sweeney, 29, stated: "I think she should take responsibility for her actions, and it is not for me to judge her." She added: "We must not demean women's sports to attract the attention of men and encourage them to gamble."
Stone told People that her interest in the position of women in sport dates back to her school days. She threatened to sue after being prevented from joining the men's golf team, while the women's team at her school did not exist. "I had to prove myself," she said, ultimately securing a place on the men's team.
Stone reflected on the American Eagle campaign for jeans, which had sparked debate that summer, at the same event in October 2025. At the time, she said: "It is fine to use what nature has given you. It is really fine." She added: "It is hard to be attractive, and I think we are all aware of that. It is perfectly fine to use every bit of that attractiveness, here and now, and to go after what you want. Everyone has a certain kind of attractiveness, a unique quality, and that should be used."
The American Eagle campaign, with its slogan playing on the words "good jeans" and "good genes", sparked controversy on social media. Some critics felt the wordplay carried racial connotations, while others criticised the campaign for the sexualisation of Sweeney and its appeal to the male gaze. American Eagle responded that the campaign was "always about the jeans only". Following the controversy, the company's shares rose by 25 per cent, CNN reported.
The advertisement for Novin was criticised by several athletes. British athlete Amy Hunt told BBC Sport after the competition on 13 September: "This is what women in sport look like." American gymnast Gracie Kramer reacted on TikTok, posting videos of her performances with the caption: "I don't know what Sydney Sweeney was doing, but this is what women in sport look like." Kramer described the advertisement on Instagram as "infuriating" and rated it as a significant step backwards. She particularly criticised the fact that women's sport was being promoted through the "male gaze", concluding: "We should not have to strip to convince men that women belong in sport."
