‘Euphoria’ Star Sharon Stone Says Sydney Sweeney Must Own the Fallout From Her Steamy Betting Ad

Few celebrity pairings have generated as much conversation as Sharon Stone and Sydney Sweeney, and the veteran star’s latest comments on Sweeney’s sports betting ad controversy have reignited the debate. The 2 actresses shared the screen in the third and final season of ‘Euphoria’, and Stone has repeatedly weighed in on her younger costar’s headline-making choices.

The latest storm began earlier this month. ‘The Housemaid’ star was announced as the face of a campaign for sports betting platform Novig and appeared nude and in suggestive poses in the “Just Sports” ad. Sweeney, who is also a new strategic partner and equity holder of the company, posed in front of equipment from baseball, hockey, football and tennis.

Now Stone has made her position clear. Speaking with People at Variety’s 2026 Power of Women: Los Angeles event on September 23, the 68-year-old said it was up to Sweeney to take responsibility for her actions, while stressing it wasn’t her place to judge the 29-year-old.

Though Stone didn’t address the ad’s specifics, she emphasized that companies shouldn’t objectify women to appeal to men. She said she had no interest in seeing women’s sports denigrated to grab men’s attention so they can gamble.

The ‘Basic Instinct’ actress also drew on her own past. She connected the controversy to her experience as a student, recalling that she had something to prove and ultimately made the boys’ team. Rather than lecturing Sweeney, she hoped the moment could become an opportunity to celebrate female athletes.

Stone’s remarks echo criticism that had already been building. Numerous female athletes, including sprinter Amy Hunt and gymnast Gracie Kramer, slammed the ad for sexualizing women in sports.

According to BBC Sport, Hunt responded by showing Sweeney what women in sport actually look like. The criticism didn’t stop there. Olympians including Ariarne Titmus spoke out against the campaign, and tennis player Priscilla Hon later added her voice to the backlash.

What makes Stone’s comments stand out is how different they sound from her past support. Last year, as backlash built around the alleged eugenics message of Sweeney’s American Eagle jeans campaign, Stone told Variety that it was okay to use what mama gave you. She even encouraged Sweeney to embrace her appearance without apology.

Still, this isn’t the first time Stone has taken a jab at her costar. She previously shaded Sweeney’s lingerie line, Syrn, joking to Variety that her attempt to steer Sweeney’s ‘Euphoria’ character away from cam work clearly didn’t take.

Sweeney has her defenders. A media expert on Fox News called the backlash a double standard, arguing that critics were treating a provocative sports betting ad like a serious criminal offense. Another expert claimed the ad would not be materially damaging to her image since sexuality has long been part of her brand.

Online, some fans turned the criticism back on Stone. One reply to Page Six’s post mocked the veteran actress for lecturing Sweeney about responsibility, pointing to Stone’s own provocative path to fame.

Behind the scenes, the pressure may be taking a toll. Sweeney reportedly can’t understand why she’s always a target and has been left tearful behind closed doors amid the ongoing backlash. Entertainment Weekly reached out to her representatives for comment.

For now, the debate over the Novig campaign shows no sign of slowing down, and Stone’s words have only added fuel to a conversation about how women, sports and sex appeal intersect in modern advertising.

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