Is Sydney Sweeney, one of Hollywood’s rising stars, in danger of facing a Hollywood blacklist?
This question has gained traction amid the growing controversy surrounding the 28-year-old’s bold performances in HBO’s provocative teen drama, Euphoria. Her latest role has sparked considerable debate over its audacious content.
In a show known for its edgy narrative, Sweeney’s portrayal of Cassie Howard has taken things a notch higher. Her character’s latest endeavor? Catering to a voyeuristic audience on the platform OnlyFans. This storyline has pushed boundaries, showcasing Sweeney in various provocative scenarios.
One scene features Cassie dressed as a ‘sexy dog’, complete with a leash and bowl, while another depicts her barely clothed, with strategically placed hands maintaining a semblance of modesty. Additionally, there are daring close-ups, such as ice cream dripping sensually on her bare chest.
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising scene is Cassie’s cosplay as a baby, indulging in a fetish roleplay that includes a dummy, a diaper-like costume, and an explicit posture. This particular depiction has been criticized for being excessively exploitative.
In defense of her character’s actions, Sweeney remarked that this represents Cassie’s version of the American dream. However, this explanation has done little to sway critics who believe the portrayal crosses a line.
‘She will definitely regret this. It’s embarrassing,’ said one user on Instagram.
‘Can’t see any female actresses… ever doing scenes like this and humiliating themselves… It’s ridiculous at this point.’
The backlash is brewing over Sydney Sweeney’s latest flesh flashing excesses in HBO’s teen drama Euphoria
It’s Sweeney’s cosplaying as a baby in a fetish roleplay with a dummy, white nappy-style diaper and legs akimbo, where the sexploits are really overmilked
Added another online comment: ‘I can’t believe she stooped to that role, alright, ‘work is work,’ right? But everything has its limits and hers should’ve been at the doghouse scene.’
Hold the outrage for a second. Yes, it’s demeaning fluff but in many ways (highly paid) business as usual for the Washington native.
The Anyone but You star has never been shy. In fact, this boobs out, bullet-proof bravado has both propelled her to the big league, with a reported $40 million net worth, and batted away a string of controversies including the woke backlash to her American Eagle jeans campaign last year.
No doubt she’ll also brazen out her recent axe from The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Whether its hawking Dr Squatch Body Wash, her own underwear range or erotic thriller The Housemaid, Sweeney is reminder that sex sells.
And in many ways, it’s all an unapologetic antidote to her more po-faced peers who have tried to dress up their own kit as a worthy statement around female empowerment.
Not to mention those long past their skin-showing prime who try to reframe past nudity in some sort of victimhood they had zero control over.
That said, Sweeney’s tacky exhibitionism is ruffling feathers, and she’d be wise to take stock. No one is immune to Hollywood’s freeze out.
You see when it comes to screen sex and nudity, history reminds us of there’s a fine line between those who thrive and the ones judged more harshly when taking risks.
In the newest season of Euphoria, Sweeney dresses as a ‘sexy dog’ led around by a leash and licking from a bowl
Nicole Kidman’s star turn in Baby Girl, for example, as an uptight CEO enjoying after-hours kinks with a young intern, reeked of ‘still got it’ self-indulgence but she still scored plenty of plaudits.
Yet former rom-com darling Meg Ryan’s edgy nudity in The Cut in 2003 saw her fast-tracked into oblivion. or as she liked to spin it ‘a mutual separation from Hollywood.’
Meanwhile, Demi Moore survived the stilted gyrations and airing her new boob job as single mom stripper in the 1993 sleazy shocker Striptease.
Yet Saved by the Bell’s Elizabeth Berkley’s career tanked when channeling a similar vibe in Showgirls, the camp cult classic heavy on the lip liner and cat fights.
Nicole Kidman’s star turns in Baby Girl, for example, as an uptight CEO enjoying after hours kinks with a young intern reeked of ‘still got it’ self-indulgence but she still got plenty of plaudits
Demi Moore survived the stilted gyrations and airing her new boob job as single mom stripper in the 1993 sleazy shocker Striptease
As a reminder (and you’ll need one given her recent lean spell) the former sitcom star was a wholesome, popular TV face when she gambled on the role of Las Vegas pole dancer Nomi Malone.
Directed by Paul Verhoeven, who had transformed the fortunes of Sharon Stone with a lead role Basic Instinct, three years earlier, no doubt Berkley was eyeing a similar kind of reinvention.
Well, she showed a different side. Not to mention every possible angle writhing around like a demented dolphin in a hot tub with former Twin Peaks Kyle MacLachlan or having her nipple inspected by the dance instructor.
‘The job as an actor is to fulfill the vision of the director. And I did everything I was supposed to do,’ Berkley reflected later.
‘No one associated with the film spoke up on my behalf to protect me. I was left out in the cold, and I was a pariah in the industry I had worked so hard for.’
Well, no one forced you to do it.
Yet Saved by the Bell’s Elizabeth Berkley’s career tanked when channeling a similar vibe in Showgirls, the camp cult classic heavy on the lip liner and cat fights
Like Sweeney, Berkley was a blonde, cookie cutter beauty with the world at her feet.
Of course, Sweeny’s latest Euphoria outing doesn’t hit quite those lows or the same bad overacting, but it should serve as a stark reminder.
To date, much of Sweeney’s success is down to be being smarter than she looks but bombshells always have a sell by date.
For career longevity, you need versatility and, as her beefed up makeup free turn as lesbian boxer Christy Martin in flop biopic, Christy, proved that’s been trickier for Sweeney.
Perhaps for now she’s just sticking to what she does best: making hay while the sun shines and ignoring all the detractors.
