Sydney Sweeney Sparks Debate at Variety Gala

At Variety’s 2025 Power of Women gala in Beverly Hills on Oct. 29, Sydney Sweeney turned heads in a crystal‑encrusted sheer silver gown by Christian Cowan x Elias Matso. The look provoked mixed reactions: critics such as Megyn Kelly publicly disapproved while peers and supporters, including Jenna Bush Hager and Sharon Stone, defended her and framed attractiveness as a form of agency; she was honored alongside Kate Hudson, Wanda Sykes, Nicole Scherzinger and Jamie Lee Curtis. In a Variety interview around the gala, Sweeney addressed early industry criticism, denied having had cosmetic procedures, and said her fashion choices are expressions of confidence rather than pandering to a “sex symbol” label. She also generated viral attention at Dodger Stadium during the World Series when photos of her eating a hot dog and taking selfies circulated widely. Fashion coverage noted the gown’s technical details (twisted waist, crystal mesh) and commentary across outlets continued to debate the cultural implications of revealing red‑carpet fashion.