Megyn Kelly, a prominent conservative commentator, voiced strong disapproval of actress Sydney Sweeney’s see-through silver dress during her talk show, labeling it inappropriate and objecting to its sheer design. The criticism came after Sweeney wore the dress to a Variety event, sparking widespread discussion online.
On Thursday, October 31, 2025, Megyn Kelly used her platform on “The Megyn Kelly Show” to critique Sydney Sweeney’s fashion choice, specifically a silver corset dress by Christian Cowan that Sweeney had worn the previous day at Variety’s Power of Women event. Kelly explicitly stated, “I object to this,” and expressed her disapproval because the dress was “completely see-through,” noting that it revealed too much of Sweeney’s body. She emphasized that she could see the actress’s entire chest, which she found excessive and lacking in modesty.
Kelly, while acknowledging Sweeney’s physical attributes as “spectacular” and “enormous,” compared the actress to Kim Kardashian, accusing her of “oversharing” and diminishing the allure of mystery. She suggested that by wearing such a transparent outfit, Sweeney was taking away the element of surprise that makes such displays appealing, instead making it overly explicit. Kelly clarified that she remains “a Sydney Sweeney fan” but drew the line at what she deemed inappropriate exposure.
The dress in question was worn by Sweeney as she delivered a speech at the event, where she spoke about being “underestimated” and aimed to inspire confidence in women. Despite the backlash, Sweeney posted photos of the dress on Instagram, captioning it “the power of women,” and received support from celebrities like Katy Perry and fans who called the look “stunning” and “gorgeous.” This response highlighted a divide in public opinion, with many applauding her boldness.
Social media reactions were sharply divided, with some users criticizing the dress for overshadowing Sweeney’s message, claiming it “puts her body on display more than her message,” while others defended her right to wear what she wants and praised her confidence. This polarization reflects broader debates about fashion, feminism, and how women’s choices are scrutinized in the public eye, with the incident quickly going viral and fueling online discourse.
Interestingly, Kelly’s criticism marks a reversal from her previous support of Sweeney. Earlier this year, Kelly had praised Sweeney’s involvement in a controversial American Eagle ad campaign, describing her as “an actual woman with amazing breasts” and celebrating the return of “hotness.” This shift in stance underscores the subjective nature of fashion opinions and Kelly’s evolving commentary, which now includes concerns about oversharing and the loss of subtlety in celebrity presentations.
Kelly speculated that Sweeney might have been “misled” into wearing the dress, suggesting that someone on her team encouraged the bold choice without proper consideration. She referred to it as a “rare misstep” for the actress, who has generally been praised for her red carpet appearances. This theory implies that Sweeney trusted the wrong advisors, leading to a moment that attracted unintended negative attention from certain quarters.
As of now, Sweeney has not directly addressed Kelly’s comments, but her social media activity indicates she stands by her choice. The incident raises questions about celebrity influence, media scrutiny, and the boundaries of personal expression in the public eye, with potential implications for how fashion is perceived and discussed in future events. It also highlights the ongoing tension between conservative and liberal views on body image and empowerment.