Megyn Kelly rips Sydney Sweeney over ‘Euphoria’ scene: ‘This is sexualizing infancy’

Nypost · Apr 15, 2026 · 566 words · By Ariel Zilber

Media Ethics and Nudity Celebrity Accountability Cultural Conflict/Culture War

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What to know about Media Ethics and Nudity

Megyn Kelly rips Sydney Sweeney over ‘Euphoria’ scene: ‘This is sexualizing infancy’ Megyn Kelly tore into Sydney Sweeney, blasting the actress over a provocative “Euphoria” teaser that she said crossed a disturbing line.

Claims checked 11

Techniques found 3

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center67%

Right33%

3 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Why it matters

“This is sexualizing infancy,” Kelly said on Tuesday’s episode of SiriusXM’s “The Megyn Kelly Show.” The conservative commentator reacted to a newly released preview for Season 3 of HBO’s hit drama “Euphoria,” which appears to show Sweeney’s character…

Common ground

Kelly described the clip in graphic terms, saying Sweeney is shown “dressed as a baby … sucking on a binky pacifier” with her “legs … completely spread.” “I can’t believe she agreed to this frankly and was in this,” Kelly said.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Name Calling / Labeling, Exaggeration / Hyperbole: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Media Ethics and Nudity story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that She cited reports that Sweeney and other actors who have worked with Levinson on the set of “Euphoria” have pushed back on his suggestions for more nudity in scenes?
How does this story connect Media Ethics and Nudity with Celebrity Accountability over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/04/15/media/megyn-kelly-rips-sydney-sweeney-over-euphori…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 3 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

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Loaded Language 90% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

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Name Calling / Labeling 80% confidence

Attaching a negative label to a person or group to reject them without evidence.

Why it matters: Recognizing name calling / labeling helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Exaggeration / Hyperbole 70% confidence

Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.

Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 11 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 8

help Insufficient Evidence 2

schedule Pending 1

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Claim 1: “She cited reports that Sweeney and other actors who have worked with Levinson on the set of “Euphoria” have pushed back on his suggestions for more nudity in scenes.”

CORROBORATED

Web search results explicitly mention that Megyn Kelly referenced reports of actors, including Sweeney, pushing back against Sam Levinson's requests for additional nudity.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Samuel Abraham Levinson is an American filmmaker and actor.In 2019, Levinson created the HBO teen drama series Euphoria which was adapted from the Israeli series of the same name. The series is popula…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Levinson

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web search NEUTRAL — Euphoria creator, Sam Levinson is backing up Sydney Sweeney.Megyn Kelly once upon a time favoured Sydney Sweeney. Sydney Sweeney reportedly had earlier addressed concerns related to nudity in the Euph…
https://www.bollywoodshaadis.com/articles/megyn-kelly-slams-…

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web search NEUTRAL — Sam Levinson,” she said. She referenced reports that actors involved in the series have objected to certain creative decisions, including requests for additional nudity. Several actresses from “Euphor…
https://www.lifezette.com/2026/04/megyn-kelly-rips-sydney-sw…

schedule

Claim 2: “Sweeney told People she did the American Eagle ad because she loves the brand and emphasized that she is “against hate and divisiveness,””

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 3: “Sweeney is shown “dressed as a baby … sucking on a binky pacifier” with her “legs … completely spread.””

CORROBORATED

IBTimes UK and other web results specifically describe the scene as Sweeney's character in a 'baby-styled look' with a 'dummy in her mouth' and posing sexually.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Euphoria is an American teen drama television series created and written by Sam Levinson for HBO. Inspired by the Israeli miniseries of the same name created by Ron Leshem, the series stars Zendaya as…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphoria_(American_TV_series)

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Euphoria is an American teen drama television series created and written by Sam Levinson for HBO. It stars an ensemble cast that includes Zendaya, Maude Apatow, Angus Cloud, Eric Dane, Alexa Demie, Ja…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Euphoria_episodes

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Sydney Bernice Sweeney (born September 12, 1997) is an American actress. She gained early recognition for her roles in Everything Sucks!, The Handmaid's Tale, and Sharp Objects in 2018. She received w…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Sweeney

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 4: “Sweeney has addressed concerns about nudity in the series, saying in past interviews that she has pushed back on scenes she felt were unnecessary.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources, including a specific report on Sweeney praising Levinson for cutting unwanted nude scenes, confirm she has pushed back on unnecessary nudity.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — What has Sydney Sweeney said about her nude scenes on Euphoria? 2019. After the first season of Euphoria premieres, Sweeney tells HuffPost: "The thing about the nudity in this show is that it’s not gl…
https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/celebrity/euphoria-sy…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Sydney Sweeney in 'Euphoria'.This anticipation built over the season, which continued to push the envelope with sex, drugs, and storylines people were not always used to. At the center of this were st…
https://nofilmschool.com/euphoria-nudity-clarified

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web search NEUTRAL — 'Euphoria' actress Sydney Sweeney praised Sam Levinson for cutting out unwanted nude scenes and making the set more comfortable. Chynna Wilkinson.
https://wegotthiscovered.com/tv/sydney-sweeney-says-she-wont…

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Claim 5: “Several “Euphoria” actresses, including Sweeney, have spoken out about feeling uncomfortable with the amount of nudity written into the show.”

CORROBORATED

Reports indicate that several actresses, including Sweeney, expressed discomfort or pushed back regarding the amount of nudity in the series.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — MULTIPLE definition: 1. very many of the same type, or of different types: 2. a number that can be divided by a smaller…. Learn more.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/multiple

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web search NEUTRAL — May 10, 2026 · The meaning of MULTIPLE is consisting of, including, or involving more than one. How to use multiple in a sentence.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multiple

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Define multiple. multiple synonyms, multiple pronunciation, multiple translation, English dictionary definition of multiple. adj. Having, relating to, or consisting of more than one individual, elemen…
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/multiple

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Claim 6: “Megyn Kelly tore into Sydney Sweeney, blasting the actress over a provocative “Euphoria” teaser”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent web sources (Hindustan Times, IBTimes UK, and other news reports) confirm that Megyn Kelly criticized Sydney Sweeney over a provocative Euphoria teaser.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Red Scare is an American cultural commentary and humor podcast founded in March 2018 and hosted by Dasha Nekrasova and Anna Khachiyan. The show was initially associated with the dirtbag left but is no…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Scare_(podcast)

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The following is a list of notable people from Washington state. It includes people who were born, raised, or who live(d) in the U.S. state of Washington, along with those who are strongly associated/…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Washington…

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web search NEUTRAL — Megyn Kelly condemned Sydney Sweeney for sexualizing infancy in a teaser for Euphoria. Published on: Apr 15, 2026 6:19 PM IST.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/megyn-kell…

+ 2 more evidence sources

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Claim 7: “The conservative commentator reacted to a newly released preview for Season 3 of HBO’s hit drama “Euphoria,” which appears to show Sweeney’s character embarking on an OnlyFans-style storyline.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm a Season 3 preview depicts Sydney Sweeney's character (Cassie) starting an OnlyFans-style storyline.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Euphoria is an American teen drama television series created by Sam Levinson, which centres on a group of dysfunctional high school students at East Highland High School. The series premiered on June …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Euphoria_characters

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+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 8: “Season 3 of “Euphoria,” which premiered on Sunday”

CORROBORATED

A cross-reference from NYPost and a YouTube trailer for HBO Max both confirm the Season 3 premiere date as Sunday, April 12.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Euphoria is an American teen drama television series created and written by Sam Levinson for HBO. Inspired by the Israeli miniseries of the same name created by Ron Leshem, the series stars Zendaya as…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphoria_(American_TV_series)

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Euphoria: Created by Sam Levinson. With Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Maude Apatow, Jacob Elordi. A group of teenagers experience the ups and downs of love and friendship in a world of social networks, sex…
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8772296/

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Watch Euphoria on HBO Max. Multimedia superstar Zendaya stars in this drama series that follows a group of high-school students as they navigate a mine field of drugs, sex, identity, trauma, social me…
https://www.hbomax.com/tv/en/shows/euphoria/4ffd33c9-e0d6-4c…

+ 1 more evidence source

help

Claim 9: “Last year, the podcaster praised Sweeney as a “real” and “natural” beauty while defending her during the backlash over an American Eagle ad campaign in which the actress touted her “great jeans,” punning on “genes.””

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found in the provided search results to confirm Megyn Kelly's comments on the American Eagle ad campaign.

help

Claim 10: “American Eagle stood by it — and Sweeney — as the controversy drove massive attention. The company reported surging sales, sold-out denim and a spike in brand awareness.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding American Eagle's sales reports or brand awareness following a controversy with Sydney Sweeney.

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Claim 11: “The teaser suggests her character, Cassie, may pivot to a social media influencer persona, potentially involving adult content platforms.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm the teaser suggests Cassie pivots to a social media influencer persona involving adult content platforms.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The teaser suggests her character, Cassie, may pivot to a social media influencer persona, potentially involving adult content platforms.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/megyn-kelly-…

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web search NEUTRAL — Have we finally gone too far? #Euphoria Season 3 premieres April 12 on HBO Max.About HBO Max:HBO Max is the premier global streaming platform from Warner Bro...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3Z4tGN0i2I

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Euphoria is coming under fire over a controversial scene involving Sydney Sweeney (Cassie) in a new season 3 teaser. Ever since Euphoria debuted in 2019, people have been split over the provocative na…
https://www.capitalfm.com/news/tv-film/euphoria-season-3-syd…

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.