Elon Musk’s Mother: Sydney Sweeney Is Allowed To ‘Look Sexy & Have Fun'

Maye Musk, 78, affirmed in a Fox News interview that Sydney Sweeney is “allowed to look sexy and have fun” — a direct response to widespread criticism of the actress’s nearly nude Novig advertising campaign. The senior model, who appeared on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2022 cover at age 74, framed the controversy around agency and professional identity rather than moral judgment.

Maye Musk’s Defense of Modeling Autonomy

During the interview, the journalist highlighted Musk’s status as a role model and referenced her 2022 Sports Illustrated appearance. That led directly into a question about Sweeney: “Do you have a take on Sydney Sweeney and all the backlash she’s been getting from that ad?” Musk acknowledged having seen “some of it on X” but said she was not fully aware of the full scope of the controversy.

She described Sweeney as “fabulous,” “beautiful,” and praised her “great sense of humor.” When pressed further on the broader cultural reaction — including objections from female athletes who labeled the ad “provocative” and “anti-feminist” — Musk replied, “She’s an actress, but [also] she’s a model.”

The Context of Sweeney’s Novig Campaign

Sweeney, 29, faced sharp criticism for appearing nearly nude in the Novig commercial. In response, she shared nude cover photos of multiple sports celebrities via her Instagram Story. Those images included ESPN covers featuring Serena Williams, Ronda Rousey, Megan Rapinoe, and Caroline Wozniacki.

Musk’s position emphasized professional boundaries and personal choice, distinguishing between modeling work and acting roles while affirming Sweeney’s right to express herself within those domains. Her remarks did not address specific criticisms from athletes or feminist commentators but instead centered on permission, visibility, and precedent — citing her own public image choices as part of that continuum.