How Sydney Sweeney’s next move will see her have last laugh at bodyshaming haters – and could silence critics for good

WHEN Sydney Sweeney stripped naked for a sports-themed shoot for betting brand Novig, sadly, she was probably anticipating a backlash. Because the world seems to have decided that if someone is beautiful and has a great body, they can’t possibly be smart and good at their job too. Sydney is hoping her next project will see her have the last laugh – and silence her critics for good Credit: IPA / SplashNews.com She received huge backlash over a recent shoot for a betting firm, in which she posed totally nude Credit: Instagram So the sizzling shoot – which saw Sydney, 29, playfully pose with basketballs, baseball bats and even straddle a basketball hoop all while totally nude – only fuelled the unfair reputation being built by trolls that she is a talentless bimbo. There was so much outrage from people claiming that Sydney’s intention was to suggest that all women who are interested in sport behave like that, that she couldn’t possibly be someone who is simply comfortable with showing off her body and having a bit of fun in exchange for a big check. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! And it’s not just sports that the internet says Sydney has no business getting involved with. A year ago she posed for an American Eagle advert, making a joke about her blonde hair and blue eyes and – as the shoot was for denim – added: “My genes are blue.” Last year she was branded ‘problematic’ and ‘racist’ for a denim shoot with American Eagle Credit: Instagram Earlier this year Sydney launched her own lingerie brand, Syrn Credit: SYRN/Greg Swales She was blasted as “problematic” and some even went as far as to say the advert was “racist” – something Sydney was quick to hit back at. Sydney shot to fame as Cassie in HBO’s Euphoria and has since starred in movies including Anyone But You and The Housemaid. Earlier this year she launched lingerie brand Syrn and starred in all of the adverts herself. Surprisingly there was no backlash over this – clearly a woman is allowed to pose in sexy underwear but god forbid a hockey stick is involved. That is taking things too far. And we’re told Sydney is very confident her next acting project will silence her critics for good, proving that she is a lot more than just a very pretty face. Most read in Showbiz An insider tells The Sun: “Sydney is sick of her critics saying she is just a pretty face and a hot body because she is far from it. She’s extremely smart and a great actress to boot, and while she doesn’t see an issue with using her god-given assets to get people talking, she wants to remind people that she is way more than a pair of boobs and blonde hair. “Her next project should do just that. Sydney will star in and produce Custom of The Country, which is already garnering very early awards buzz.” The project is a period piece, based on a highly-acclaimed novel by prestigious author Edith Wharton, so it’s not what fans would automatically associate her with but, we’re told, that’s why Sydney wanted to do it. It’s the story of heroine Undine Spragg, who arrives in New York at the turn of the century from the Midwest and uses her beauty, charm and steely ambition to climb the social ladder. Last year Sydney played Christy Martin in the biographical drama about the female boxer Credit: Alamy Stock Photo She’ll star alongside hunky Leo Woodall – known for his role in White Lotus – in her upcoming project Credit: Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images “Sydney really relates the character as she is rebellious, infuriates others but has the last laugh, so it’s the perfect next role for her,” our source said. “It’s a way of leaning in to a lot of the criticism she’s had aimed at her, but turning it on its head in a surprising, unexpected way. “She’s playing a sexy character, but one with a brain who defies expectations. Expect a lot of naysayers to eat their words when they see her performance in it. She’s also producing it too, proving she’s a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood.” Adding to the film’s mettle is the fact Sydney has roped in man of the moment Leo Woodall to co-star with her. He’s red hot in tinseltown ever since his breakthrough role in The White Lotus, so he brings additional credibility to the project. It’s also directed by Josie Rourke, a respected director from the theatre world who helmed Mary Queen of Scots, which earned Margot Robbie a BAFTA nomination. “These people are all big players who will not only drive this movie to be a box office hit, but a critical one too. Sydney was gutted when she missed out on an Oscar nomination for her role as a female boxer in the biopic Christy last year, but she hopes this time around, it will be a different story. “Sydney knows it’s time to let her work do the talking once again. She’s proved she can be a box office draw with the huge commercial success of The Housemaid, which has a sequel on the way, but she wants recognition from her industry peers too. “She wants to show that you can be sexy, embrace your body, pose nude if you want to and also be a brilliant actress. “Those things don’t have to be mutually exclusive and while she understands it’s better to be talked about than not talked about at all, she’s also fed up with not getting the kudos she feels she deserves for her work.” Comment now