Sydney Sweeney's Sheer Gown: Hollywood Reacts to Her Power of Women Look

Sydney Sweeney's dazzling sheer dress at the recent Variety Power of Women event has sparked a massive debate, with everyone from "The View" co-hosts to Megyn Kelly weighing in on her bold style choice.

TL;DR

• Sydney Sweeney wore a show-stopping sheer silver gown to Variety's Power of Women event on October 29, 2025.
• Her outfit ignited a fiery discussion among TV personalities like Alyssa Farah Griffin (who defended her) and Megyn Kelly (who "objected").
• Sweeney, an honoree at the event, used her speech to talk about being underestimated and has previously addressed constant criticism about her appearance and public image.

Alright, fellow movie buffs and fashion fanatics, let's talk about the look that broke the internet (or at least, sparked a thousand hot takes): Sydney Sweeney's incredible sheer gown at Variety's Power Of Women gala!

The "Euphoria" star, 28, stepped out on October 29, 2025, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, absolutely shimmering in a Christian Cowan x Elias Matso crystal dress. Going braless with nude underwear, she paired the slinky silver number with a chic new bob haircut and minimal jewelry. It was a bold move, and as you can imagine, everyone had an opinion.

The Dazzling Dress That Divided Hollywood & Social Media

The event itself was a star-studded affair, celebrating powerful women in media and entertainment. Sweeney was honored alongside incredible talents like Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Hudson, Wanda Sykes, and Nicole Scherzinger. During her speech, Sweeney spoke passionately about being underestimated and proving herself, drawing parallels to her upcoming role as boxer Christy Martin in the film "Christy."

But while her words were powerful, her dress stole much of the red carpet conversation. It's not every day you see such a daring ensemble, and it certainly got people talking!

"Justice for Sydney Sweeney!": How The View Defended Her

One of the most vocal defenders of Sweeney's outfit and overall image was Alyssa Farah Griffin, co-host of "The View." On Friday's episode, Griffin, 36, declared she was "so over the Sydney Sweeney hate" and called for "justice for Sydney Sweeney." She argued that Sweeney is a "phenomenal actor" and gets unfair criticism about her sexuality driving her career, pointing out a frustrating double standard for women in Hollywood.

"She gets all this criticism of, 'She only gets big parts because of her sexuality and because she shows her big boobs.' ... Women can't win."

— Alyssa Farah Griffin on "The View"

Griffin even brought up how Sweeney was trolled for "letting herself go" when she gained weight for her role in "Christy," then criticized for being "too hot" in real life. "Brad Pitt doesn't worry about being too hot for roles," she quipped, highlighting the clear gender imbalance in these judgments.

While co-host Ana Navarro, 53, generally spoke against the trend of "bathing suits with a sheer cover on top" without directly naming Sweeney's dress, Sara Haines, 48, praised Jennifer Lopez as an example of staying "classy" while showing skin.

Megyn Kelly's Strong Disapproval: "I Draw The Line at Areola"

On the flip side, conservative commentator Megyn Kelly, 54, had some very strong opinions about Sweeney's Christian Cowan ensemble. On her talk show, Kelly outright "object[ed]" and "disapprove[d]" of the dress because it was "completely see-through."

Kelly acknowledged Sweeney's "enormous" and "spectacular" "No. 1 assets" but accused the actress of "overshar[ing]," suggesting it "takes away the thing that is the sexiest... leaving a little to the imagination." She even compared Sweeney to Kim Kardashian in this regard.

Interestingly, Kelly, a self-proclaimed "Sydney Sweeney fan," speculated that Sweeney might have been "misled" into wearing the dress, calling it a "rare misstep." Her firm stance? She "draw[s] the line at areola."

Jamie Lee Curtis's "Immaculate Compliment" and Fan Support

Amidst the debate, a heartwarming moment unfolded on the red carpet when acting icon Jamie Lee Curtis, 66, met Sweeney. Curtis was seen pointing in awe at Sweeney's daring dress before wrapping her in a hug, delivering what one report called an "immaculate compliment." This supportive gesture from a veteran actress, who herself was once nicknamed "The Body" but has spoken about wanting to be known for more than her looks, spoke volumes.

Social media, as expected, was a battleground. While some critics echoed Kelly's sentiments, saying the dress "didn't empower but overpower" or put her "body on display more than her message," a significant number of fans jumped to Sweeney's defense. Comments on her Instagram, where she shared snaps from the event with the caption "the power of women," were overwhelmingly positive, with celebrities like Katy Perry and Jessie James Decker "gushing" over her "stunning" look.

More Than Just a Dress: Sweeney's History With Public Scrutiny

It's important to remember that this isn't Sweeney's first rodeo when it comes to her appearance sparking controversy. The Emmy-nominated actress has been refreshingly open about the constant scrutiny she faces.

She recently revealed that as young as 16, someone told her to "fix my face" or get Botox to make it in Hollywood. Sweeney, who says she's "terrified of needles" and has "never gotten anything done," insists she plans to "age gracefully." She's also addressed online critics who use old photos to claim she's had work done, reminding them, "I'm 12 in that photo... I'm 15 years older" now.

Sweeney also faced backlash earlier this year for a Dr. Squatch bathwater soap campaign (which she admits she pitched herself!) and her American Eagle "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans" ad, which controversially sparked a debate about race and beauty standards. Despite these challenges, Sweeney believes it's "important to have a finger on the pulse of what people are saying, because everything is a conversation with the audience."

Her bold fashion choices, like this sheer gown, seem to be part of her journey of self-expression. As she told People last August, "Fashion is a really fun way of embracing different sides of yourself... That's what's so amazing, especially about being a woman, is being able to embrace all the different sides of ourselves, because we are so multifaceted and there's so much going on."

Ultimately, Sydney Sweeney continues to command attention, whether for her acting talent in shows like "Euphoria" (which she's currently wrapping Season 3 of) or her fearless approach to fashion. Her red carpet choice at the Power of Women event highlights the ongoing, often unfair, public discourse surrounding women's bodies and choices in the entertainment industry.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sydney Sweeney & Power of Women

When was the Variety Power of Women event that Sydney Sweeney attended? The event took place on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. What was Sydney Sweeney's dress made of? She wore a sheer silver crystal gown from Christian Cowan and Elias Matso's spring 2026 collection. What upcoming projects does Sydney Sweeney have? She is set to star as boxer Christy Martin in the film "Christy" and is also wrapping up filming for the third season of "Euphoria." Has Sydney Sweeney had plastic surgery? Sweeney has publicly stated that she has never had any cosmetic procedures, is "terrified of needles," and plans to "age gracefully," refuting online rumors. Sources

• Context articles provided for synthesis.