Sydney Sweeney was slammed after a viral video showed her introducing her puppy to fans after the Met Gala red carpet.
The 27-year-old Euphoria star made her appearance on the iconic blue carpet outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in a custom black sequined gown by Miu Miu.
The annual fashion event, held every first Monday in May, draws A-listers from across the globe - and this year, Sweeney’s look quickly became a talking point.
Her floor-length dress featured a short train, short sleeves with fringe detailing, and a chest cutout fastened by a golden flower. Sweeney styled her hair in a slick-back bun with two curled tendrils framing her face, completing the look with smoky eye makeup.
According to Sweeney, her gown paid homage to old Hollywood icon Kim Novak. The Anyone But You actress even posted a still from Novak’s 1967 film The Legend of Lylah Clare to her Instagram Story just before arriving, hinting at the inspiration behind her look.
Fans pointed out that Novak’s role in Hitchcock’s 1958 Vertigo also echoed in the star’s sultry appearance.
However, despite the thoughtful tribute, critics online weren’t sold on Sweeney’s interpretation of the evening’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
This year’s Met Gala was designed to spotlight Black dandyism and its influence from the 18th century through the Harlem Renaissance to today, encouraging guests to dress in styles tailored to their own identities, particularly through the lens of suiting and menswear.
On X, one user questioned the choice: "Sydney Sweeney referencing Kim Novak, a white lady, for superfine tailoring black style....ok?"
Another remarked: "Actress Sydney Sweeney looks like she’s going to a White House Correspondents Dinner and not the Met Gala based on Super Fine: Tailoring Black Style. #MetGala2025."
As the fashion fallout spread, Sweeney found herself under more fire - this time for bringing her puppy, Sully Bear, to the Met Gala after party.
In a video posted online, the White Lotus star was seen exiting The Carlyle Hotel with her tiny dog in tow, flanked by flashing lights and a swarm of fans and photographers.
While some viewers adored the moment, others criticized the actress for subjecting her pet to such a high-stress environment. "This is so stressful for the dog," one person said. "What a stupid thing to do to your pet. It’s overwhelmed and scared," a second blasted.
"This is bordering on abuse. W**," a third claimed, while a fourth added: "A dog is not a prop to use for attention. It is a living, breathing soul."
"It’s cool that she wants him to be calm in various situations, but you don’t throw a dog in the fire like this. You gradually go further with different situations until you get to something like this. But even trained dogs would have a hard time in that mess, specially with the flashes," one more added.
Sweeney's appearance at the 2025 Met Gala also comes on the heels of a major personal shift.
The actress recently called off her wedding to ex-fiancé Jonathan Davino, ending their seven-year relationship.
Though the breakup with the 41-year-old entrepreneur happened quietly back in January, it wasn’t made public until March.
The former couple briefly reunited in April at their shared Florida property, but there was no sign of affection between them, and Sweeney’s diamond engagement ring was notably absent.