Sydney Sweeney Sparks Debate After Pirating Popular TV Show

Sydney Sweeney sparked debate online after fans caught her pirating a popular television show. In a video she posted on her Instagram Stories, the Euphoria alum showed how she spends her time relaxing when she's not acting.

In the since-expired Story, the 26-year-old took a photo of her giant flat-screen TV with NBC's Law & Order: Organized Crime paused on the screen.

The since-expired Insta story was screenshotted and shared by the Anyone but You star's fans and reposted on X (formerly Twitter). One user commented: "My girl pirating so real," which went viral with over eight million views, 207,000 likes, and 10,000 reposts.

Over on the platform, many users have been speculating that Sweeney used the free illegal pirating platform, FlixTor, while others listed different illegal streaming websites it could potentially be. Added one user: "the way she’s watching LAW and ORDER while pirating LMAO." Another commented: "The way we all recognize the playback menu on the video player lol." Meanwhile, another user said, "LMFAO this is too real cuz nowadays you can’t find the early seasons of shows like CSI in streaming platforms, you have to pirate them bc they only have the wacky (newer) seasons."

The post also sparked a discussion on the rising costs of streaming services. "All the shows we want to watch are all on different streaming services WE NOT PAYING FOR 8 DIFFERENT SERVICES AND NEITHER IS MRS SWEENEY," wrote one user. "damn even rich people ain’t paying [sobing emoji, skull emojis]," added another. "Saving money. No one is paying for all these streaming services [laughing emojis]," a third user stated. "cause why pay for multiple streaming services when you can just have any show or film on one site. there’s nothing i love more than piracy," another person commented.

Last year, Sweeney was mocked for claiming she had to “fight” for roles in Hollywood. Sweeney said that finding mainstream success in Euphoria made it difficult for her to land roles going forward.

"They send me scripts that are just like that," the Washington native said last May. It’s the ones I have to fight for that usually are the ones that I want that are different. Like Reality.” She added, “I had to audition for it. I had to put myself on tape and send in my audition just like everybody else.

Then, in 2022, Sweeney caught criticism once again for telling The Hollywood Reporter, "They don’t pay actors like they used to, and with streamers, you no longer get residuals." She noted that she wouldn't be able to afford a six-month break after having to pay out "5 percent to my lawyer, 10 percent to my agents, 3 percent or something like that to my business manager. I have to pay my publicist every month, and that’s more than my mortgage."

Sydney Sweeney is one of the hottest new actresses of the past few years, and she's only getting hotter. The 25-year-old actress, who celebrates her birthday on September 12, is best known for her role in the HBO drama series Euphoria since its first season began in 2019. Prior to that, the Washington-born actress starred in other television series such as the Netflix series Everything Sucks!, the HBO miniseries Sharp Objects alongside Amy Adams, and Hulu's dystopian drama series The Handmaid's Tale. In Euphoria, Sweeney plays the role of Cassie Howard, a teenager whose promiscuous reputation haunts her throughout the series. She has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy for the role.

Following the success of Euphoria, Sweeney was cast in the first season of the HBO dark comedy series The White Lotus as Olivia Mossbacher, an edgy college daughter of her rich parents. Sweeney was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for this role as well. Sweeney previously told Variety that she had to “fight” for roles in Hollywood following the mainstream success of Euphoria. She said it made it difficult for her to land roles going forward due to being typecast. "There’s always people who see me as Cassie or see me as Olivia," she said. "They send me scripts that are just like that. It’s the ones I have to fight for that usually are the ones that I want that are different. Like Reality."

In 2023, Sweeney starred as Reality Winner in the thriller drama Reality, and she received critical acclaim for her performance. The actress is set to star in the superhero film Madame Web, set in Sony's Spider-Man Universe franchise. Madame Web is set to be released in theaters in February 2024. She will also star with Glen Powell in the romantic comedy Anyone But You, produce and star in the psychological horror film Immaculate, and star alongside Julianne Moore in an AppleTV thriller called Echo Valley. Making her music video debut, Sweeney stars in the Rolling Stones' first single, "Angry," from their forthcoming 24th studio album, Hackney Diamonds.

Take a look below at Sydney Sweeney's sweet and sexy style that she has shared on Instagram.

Here, she was promoting her lingerie collection with the company Frankies Bikinis. Let's be real: Sweeney is the perfect model. Pairing the dark lingerie with ribbon and side-tie detailing, the actress accessorizes the look with thigh-high lace stockings and a pink rhinestone cross necklace.

In this sultry black-and-white portrait for Modern Luxury, Sweeney wears bedazzled mesh gloves while caressing her face. Her blonde hair is messy and blowing across her face, with her dark, smoky eyes peering through. It's a great look for her.

In this strapless mesh, ruffle-tiered black gown by Italian haute couture brand Schiaparelli, Sweeney's cutouts show off her midriff and her legs. She wears her signature wavy, blonde locks down and pairs the look with a '60s-inspired cat-eye.

With a messy, tousled updo with bangs, Sweeney evokes her inner Pamela Anderson. Her powder blue Miu Miu dress is adorned with white embroidered flowers, wearing pearl drop earrings and eyeshadow that match the dress' colors.

Wearing this brown gown with a major cut out in her chest, Sweeney is all smiles in the back of a car with her friend in Ibiza. The actress called her time in Ibiza as a "dream week" and shared photos and videos enjoying water activities and parting with friends.

As the brand ambassador for the Italian fashion house, Sydney looks both elegant and classy in these shades of white and taupe. With a picturesque view behind her, the actress poses on a window sill wearing a flip-flop knee-high boot hybrid, shorts and a matching halter top, oversized sunglasses, and a textured bag.

Posing with a closed-eye pout, Sweeney dazzles in this black ensemble, showing off her cleavage. With a sparkly collar and sparkling eye makeup, the actress oozes confidence in the image.

While attending Variety's 2023 Power of Young Hollywood event, honoree Sweeney was one of the publication's choices for the most promising emerging talent in show business. The starlet wore a black leather peplum corset paired with a matching black skirt with a slit. She paired the edgy and sweet look with a cat eye, sparkling nude lip, and tons of jewelry on her ears and fingers.

For her cover shoot for the Spanish magazine S Moda, Sweeney sits herself up on some grass in a picturesque landscape while wearing an oversized blazer and tights. With the blazer open, we see that she has nothing on underneath. Paired with her natural-looking hair down, the actress looks stunning as a natural beauty.

Basking in the light, the sparkling bra underneath Sweeney's Miu Miu dress reflects onto her face. The stunning beauty evokes classic elegance in the black-and-white images while showing off her figure.