Only days after revealing that women should “flaunt what they got,” Sydney Sweeney arrived at Variety’s Power of Women event in a sheer, barely-there dress that left little to the imagination – and jaws hitting the ground.

Sydney Sweeney has long been one of Hollywood’s most talked-about rising talents – and now, she’s one of the most talked-about fashion risk-takers.

The 28-year-old actor made waves with her revealing ensemble at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, just days after opening up to Variety about embracing her status as a “sex symbol,” while also pushing back on the scrutiny she’s faced throughout her career.

In the interview Sweeney told Variety that despite public perception, her confidence and image are for herself – not anyone else.

“I play a lot of very divisive characters, and I think that a lot of people think they know me, but they don’t. So, when people think, ‘Ah, she’s a sex symbol,’ or ‘She’s leaning into that,’ I’m like, ‘No, I just feel good and I’m doing it for myself and I feel strong,’” she said in the article, published Oct. 27. “And I hope that I can inspire other women to be confident and just flaunt what they got and feel good because you shouldn’t have to apologize or hide or cover up in any room.”

All natural look

The actor, who is portraying real-life boxing champion Christy Martin in the upcoming biopic Christy, also revealed she’s never had any cosmetic procedures and has no plans to. “I’ve never gotten anything done. I’m absolutely terrified of needles. No tattoos. Nothing. I’m going to age gracefully,” she said, adding that she’s often seen “comparison pictures” online.

“I’m like, ‘I’m 12 in that photo. Of course I’m going to look different. I have makeup on now and I’m 15 years older.’”

That refusal to conform has only heightened interest in Sweeney’s personal and professional evolution. While some continue to focus on her looks, the actor has racked up accolades for her work in Euphoria and The White Lotus, earning two Emmy nominations.

Dares ‘to be seen’

Her appearance at the Variety Power of Women event was more than just a fashion moment – it was also a celebration of her achievements. The annual event honors women in entertainment who are making a significant impact both on and off screen, and this year’s ceremony featured a powerhouse lineup that included Kate Hudson, Wanda Sykes, Sharon Stone, and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Sweeney was among the evening’s honorees and was introduced onstage by Stone before sharing how she connected with her role in Christy: “I’m not a fighter in the ring, but I recognized something of myself in Christy,” she told the crowd. “I know what it feels like to be underestimated, to have people define me before I get the chance to define myself. I know what it feels like to have to prove that you deserve to be here, to be seen, to be taken seriously.”

And she was definitely seen.

Jaw-dropping look

Sweeney arrived in a show-stopping Christian Cowan x Elias Matso crystal twisted waist gown, confirmed by the designer on Instagram to be from the upcoming Spring/Summer 2026 collection.

The glittering, sheer silver fabric clung to her curves and left little to the imagination, catching the light – and the eyes of nearly everyone on the carpet. She paired the dress with a sleek platinum bob, rosy cheeks, and a nude lip, completing the look with subtle glamour.

Sweeney’s barely-there gown – that she wore braless – quickly became the talk of social media, with reactions ranging from admiration to shock.

Several online users – many of them men – gushed over her risqué look. “Wowsa! Hard to take your eyes off Sydney, that’s for sure! Hotter than hot!” one fan wrote in response to Variety’s tweet featuring her bold ensemble.

“God took his time with Sydney Sweeny,” shared a second, while another chimed in, calling her “a modern-day Marilyn Monroe.”

‘Soft porn’

But the revealing dress also sparked backlash, with some critics slamming the look as too provocative.

“What’s wrong with women who expose their private parts in such a shameful way???” one commenter asked, fueling an ongoing debate about fashion, fame, and what it means to own your image in the spotlight.

“Horrible this woman showing off her t*** like that. Nothing else to offer?” asks a second fan.

A third writes: “So funny how women empowerment/feminism went from women being more than sex objects and can do any job a man can do [to] being nude in public and being a sex object is empowering.”

“I’m old enough to remember when this was considered soft porn,” another added.

Still, if Sweeney’s message at the podium – and her interview days earlier – proved anything, it’s that she’s not dressing for approval. She’s dressing for herself. And like it or not, she’s making sure the world is paying attention.

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