"Is it a crime to be naked?" Sydney Sweeney's 'Jeolla gambling ad' controversy... WNBA star asks, "Why are women so angry?" Unprecedented defense

*This content was translated by AI.

Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney (28) sparked controversy over a Jeolla advertisement, prompting WNBA star Sophie Cunningham (30) to come forward in her support.

The UK's "The Sun" reported on the 19th (Korea time) that "Cunningham defended Sweeney's nude ad controversy while appearing on the podcast 'No Hesitation'."

Recently, Sweeney appeared naked in a Sports Novibet advertisement, covering her body only with an American football and basketball. It is reported that Sweeney received shares of Novibet as compensation for appearing in the ad.

When the ad was released, the sports community strongly protested, accusing it of sexualizing female athletes. British track star Amy Hunt struck a sharp note during a live broadcast interview immediately after the 200m final at the World Athletics Ultimate Championships on the 14th, stating, "Sydney Sweeney, this is not the true face of women's sports filled with blood, sweat, and tears." Several athletes, including Australian Olympic water polo national team member Tilly Converse and former track athlete Hannah Williams, joined the criticism, fueling the controversy.

However, in the podcast, Cunningham said, "I question whether Sweeney actually engages in sports gambling, so her authenticity is questionable," yet she supported her by adding, "This kind of exposure is the way Sweeney has built her career thus far."

Cunningham remarked, "Morally, I think it's a bit strange, but Sweeney is just doing her job and earning money." She further questioned, "It's natural that gambling ads featuring men, sports, and nude women attract attention; I don't understand why people are so angry."

She also dismissed criticism from some quarters claiming the ad targeted the women's sports community. She stated, "It is wonderful for strong women to show young girls what a dignified athlete looks like," drawing a line by saying, "I do not see this ad as an attack on women's sports."

Meanwhile, as the controversy intensified, Sweeney took direct defensive action by sequentially posting photos of actual athletes who had posed nude for ESPN's "Body Issue" in the past on her Instagram story.

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*This content was translated by AI.