Artist Calls Out Sydney Sweeney’s Hollywood Sign Moment as Backlash Grows

Sydney Sweeney is facing growing backlash after using the Hollywood Sign in a late-night promotional stunt for her new lingerie brand, Syrn. Calls for legal action began to spread after the footage appeared online, showing the actress and her team climbing the famous landmark to hang bras across the massive letters. The situation has been widely discussed across entertainment media and social platforms.

One of the loudest critics is street artist Zach Fernandez, also known as Jesushands. Fernandez is well known for altering the Hollywood Sign in 2017 to read “HOLLYW*ED” as a comment on cannabis culture. According to public court records and Fernandez’s own statements, he was arrested for the act and later sentenced to community service. He has now spoken out in interviews and online posts, calling what he sees as unequal treatment.

Fernandez says the difference comes down to fame and money. He argues that his work was treated as a crime, while Sweeney’s stunt, which promoted a commercial product, has not yet resulted in the same response. He has said that the law should apply the same way to everyone, regardless of celebrity status. His comments were shared through social media and later picked up by several news outlets.

The artist also criticized the intent behind the stunt. He described his own action as a form of cultural expression inspired by earlier artists. He has said that Sweeney’s use of the sign felt like advertising rather than art. While Fernandez later turned his image into a brand, he maintains that the original action was not planned as a commercial promotion.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which controls the rights to the Hollywood Sign, confirmed it did not approve the stunt. In a statement shared with the press, the organization said it had no knowledge of the plan ahead of time. The Chamber also explained that even when a filming permit is issued by FilmLA, it does not allow anyone to climb or touch the sign itself.

Despite the controversy, Sydney Sweeney has not backed down. She posted behind-the-scenes videos showing the nighttime climb, with crew members dressed in dark clothing. In one clip, she jokes about possibly getting caught, which further fueled criticism. The videos were shared on her own social media accounts.

Sweeney has defended her brand, saying Syrn is meant to support and understand women rather than market to them. In previous interviews, she explained that the line focuses on different moods and body types, offering a wide range of sizes. She has said the goal is empowerment, not provocation.

This is not the first time Sweeney has been at the center of public debate. In December 2025, Elon Musk shared AI-generated images referencing her body after she attended a film premiere. The posts were widely criticized by fans and commentators, according to social media reports, with many calling them inappropriate.

Professionally, Sweeney continues to see success. Her recent film The Housemaid performed strongly at the box office, according to industry reports. Directed by Paul Feig, the psychological thriller stars Sweeney alongside Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar.

Looking ahead, Sweeney is set to play Kim Novak in the upcoming biopic Scandalous!, directed by Colman Domingo. While her career remains busy, the Hollywood Sign stunt has raised serious questions about how public landmarks are used and whether celebrities are held to the same rules as everyone else.

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