The internet loves a good controversy, and the Sydney Sweeney ad for Novig has certainly delivered. But while critics are lining up to slam the ad, golf influencer Paige Spiranac is stepping in to defend it—and she's not holding back.
Spiranac, who boasts over four million Instagram followers, took to social media to call out what she sees as a glaring double standard. The ad, which features Sweeney in a sports betting promotion, has drawn sharp criticism from Olympic gold medalist Ariarne Titmus and others who say it sexualizes women in sports.
Titmus didn't mince words, writing on Instagram, "I can't describe how infuriated I feel when I watch this. How do we live in a world where monetizing a woman's body and sexualizing women's sport is still a thing?"
Daniel Hong also weighed in, expressing concerns about the message it sends to young girls. "Seeing this whole Sydney Sweeney controversy just confirms what I already knew I have to teach my daughters, sooner than later," he said via Us Weekly. "My girls are going to grow up in a world where they're going to learn really quick that attention has value, especially for girls. Appearance can get you attention: likes, comments, followers, money, opportunities. All of that is very real. What I want them to understand is that attention and value are not the same thing."
But Spiranac isn't buying it. The former collegiate golfer, who played at the University of Arizona and San Diego State, responded by posting a racy photoshoot of Dakota Johnson from Saturday Night Live. Her point? Why is one woman's sexy photoshoot celebrated while another's is condemned?
It's a fair question, especially coming from Spiranac, who has built her own brand on a mix of golf skill and glamour. She's no stranger to criticism herself, often facing backlash for her own content. Yet she's consistently pushed back, arguing that women should be free to express themselves however they choose.
This isn't the first time Spiranac has waded into controversy. She's previously defended her own bold golf attire and spoken out on issues ranging from body shaming to sexism in the sport. Her latest defense of Sweeney is just another chapter in her ongoing battle against what she sees as unfair scrutiny of women in the public eye.
The debate also touches on broader questions about women in sports media and the fine line between empowerment and exploitation. While some argue that ads like this set back the cause of women's sports, others see it as a personal choice and a sign of progress.
Spiranac's stance has sparked its own backlash, with some accusing her of hypocrisy. But she remains unapologetic, insisting that the outrage is misplaced. "Why is this OK for one woman but not another?" she seems to ask, pointing to the SNL shoot as proof of the inconsistency.
As the conversation continues to heat up, one thing is certain: Spiranac isn't backing down, and neither are her critics. Whether you agree with her or not, she's sparked a necessary dialogue about how we judge women in sports—and in the media at large.
