Megyn Kelly Walks Back Criticism of Sydney Sweeney‘s Sheer Dress After Initial Scolding
NEW YORK – Megyn Kelly dramatically reversed her stance on Sydney Sweeney’s recent appearance in a nearly obvious dress, offering an apology to the actress after initially criticizing the outfit as ”completely see-through” and questioning Sweeney’s choices. The reversal comes after significant backlash online and a wave of support for Sweeney from conservative figures, including those who previously amplified controversy surrounding the actress’s recent advertising campaign.
Kelly’s initial comments, made on her SiriusXM show on June 17, sparked immediate outrage, with critics accusing her of shaming Sweeney and perpetuating double standards regarding women’s fashion. The controversy unfolded against a backdrop of heightened political sensitivity surrounding Sweeney, who recently starred in an ad campaign for a genetic testing company that drew accusations of echoing Nazi propaganda due to its emphasis on “great genes.” That ad campaign ignited a firestorm, with left-wing commentators condemning it while conservative media outlets, notably Fox News which mentioned the campaign over 180 times in four days, defended it as a rebuke of “woke advertising.” Figures like White House Director of Communications Steve Cheung dismissed the criticism as “cancel culture run amok,” and Senators JD Vance and Ted Cruz publicly praised Sweeney’s attractiveness.
On June 18, Kelly issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) acknowledging she had “overreacted” and apologizing to Sweeney.”I reacted poorly to the picture of Sydney Sweeney in the sheer dress,” she wrote. “I’m a mom of three girls, and I should be celebrating young women feeling confident and lovely, not criticizing their choices. I apologize to Sydney.” Kelly further stated she had reached out to Sweeney directly to offer her apology.
The shift in Kelly’s position highlights the complex intersection of celebrity, politics, and gender dynamics in the current media landscape. Sweeney herself has remained largely silent on the controversies,declining to publicly address her political affiliations despite reports she is registered as a Republican in Florida since June 2024. The incident underscores the intense scrutiny faced by public figures, particularly women, and the speed with which narratives can shift in the age of social media.
