Sydney Sweeney sparks backlash after scaling Hollywood sign for after-dark photo shoot

Sweeney - wearing black cargo pants, a black hoodie and a black hat - hung a clothesline of bras over the sign all while being filmed. 

According to TMZ, Sweeney and her team received a permit from FilmLA to shoot near the Hollywood sign. However, they did not have permission to climb or touch the sign. 

In an email sent to TMZ, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce - which owns the intellectual property rights to use the image of the Hollywood sign - confirmed that Sweeney did not have clearance to go that far. 

"There was no permission granted to do this, as is required," the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce told the outlet.

Representatives for Sweeney and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. 

The LAPD told Fox News Digital that there is currently no investigation. "No crime was committed," the representative stated. 

Social media users were quick to react to Sweeney's stunt.

"Guess she didn't learn how to advertise after that jean commercial," one user wrote on X. 

"Doesn't climbing the sign carry like… actual jail time?" another user asked. "Hope those bras were worth the trespassing charge."

"Bold move, but she's playing the game right," another added. 

Sweeney was invited to the couple's June wedding in Venice, Italy.

Her brand was also backed by Ben Schwerin, a partner at private equity firm Coatue. 

The publicity stunt comes months after Sweeney faced backlash for her American Eagle campaign, "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans."

The playful pun instantly sparked controversy online, with some critics arguing the "jeans" and "genes" wordplay carried racially charged implications.

"Anyone who knows me knows that I'm always trying to bring people together. I'm against hate and divisiveness," she explained.

"In the past, my stance has been to never respond to negative or positive press, but recently I have come to realize that my silence regarding this issue has only widened the divide, not closed it. So I hope this new year brings more focus on what connects us instead of what divides us."