Sydney Sweeney faces potential legal trouble over Hollywood stunt
A legal expert outlined the potential charges Sydney Sweeney may face after wrapping bras on the iconic Hollywood Sign.
Hollywood is abuzz after Sydney Sweeney, the 28-year-old star of The Housemaid, made headlines for a daring publicity stunt at one of Los Angeles’ most iconic landmarks: the Hollywood Sign. The stunt, intended to promote her new underwear line, SYRN by Sydney Sweeney, involved scaling the famous letters at night and draping several bras across the monument — an act that has sparked widespread attention, criticism, and now potential legal scrutiny.
According to reports, Sweeney and her team carried out the operation under the cover of darkness, arriving in a vehicle dressed entirely in black. A video posted on Instagram shows the star and her companions approaching the sign, crawling through an opening in the perimeter fence, and then hoisting themselves up using ropes. Once at the top, Sweeney can be seen and heard saying, “Do you want to start here or there?” before wrapping the underwear across the letters. “We’re going to get caught at this rate,” she quipped during the operation, a remark that now seems to have foreshadowed the legal attention the stunt may attract.
While the stunt was intended to be a bold marketing move for her brand, it has prompted criticism from the public, social media users, and legal experts alike. Dennis Hernandez, founding attorney of Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, spoke to Irish Star, highlighting that the consequences could be far more severe than Sweeney may have anticipated. Hernandez emphasized that the Hollywood Sign is not just a cultural icon but also a legally protected landmark with strict rules governing access and usage.
Though Sweeney reportedly obtained a FilmLA permit for shooting in the vicinity, she did not secure approval from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which governs access to the historic site itself. This omission is critical because FilmLA permits typically cover filming in general areas but do not automatically grant permission to tamper with or commercially exploit landmarks. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce maintains control over the site to ensure preservation, public safety, and the proper use of the landmark in commercial ventures.
Hernandez pointed out that Sweeney’s stunt could potentially involve several legal violations, including trespassing, property damage, and unauthorized commercial use of a protected monument. Trespassing charges could arise from entering restricted areas of the property without explicit permission, while property damage claims may follow if the act of hanging bras on the letters caused any physical harm to the structure or surrounding fencing. The commercial angle — using the landmark to promote a product without authorization — adds another layer of legal complexity, potentially exposing Sweeney to civil penalties or fines.
“From a legal perspective,” Hernandez told Irish Star, “any commercial stunt involving the Hollywood Sign carries significant risk when the necessary permissions are not secured. Even celebrities with permits for nearby filming must follow all rules related to protected monuments, and failure to do so can result in fines, lawsuits, or other consequences.” He also noted that authorities tend to treat the Hollywood Sign with particular seriousness due to its historic and cultural importance, meaning that any unauthorized activity could attract heightened scrutiny.
The stunt has also ignited conversations about celebrity behavior and responsibility. While marketing campaigns increasingly rely on eye-catching or daring methods to capture public attention, experts warn that the line between bold publicity and illegal activity can quickly blur. In Sweeney’s case, the combination of trespassing and commercial promotion could compound the severity of potential charges, particularly given the landmark’s prominence and the ease with which the incident was publicized via social media.
Legal observers also point to past incidents at the Hollywood Sign to illustrate the risks. The landmark is routinely patrolled, and unauthorized climbs or stunts have historically resulted in arrests, fines, and in some cases, civil lawsuits for damages. Even if the structure itself suffers no lasting harm, the act of entering the property illegally can carry criminal implications, which are treated seriously by Los Angeles law enforcement and municipal authorities.
While Sweeney’s video has gone viral and brought immediate attention to her SYRN underwear line, the stunt underscores the tension between creative marketing and legal boundaries. The incident has already drawn widespread commentary on social media, with some praising the audacity and others criticizing the disregard for law and safety. Many viewers noted the potential danger involved — climbing a high, uneven structure in darkness carries significant physical risk, both for the performers and anyone who might try to intervene.
Sweeney’s situation serves as a cautionary tale for influencers, celebrities, and marketers who seek unconventional methods to promote products. Obtaining permits for filming is only one step; comprehensive legal clearance, respect for protected sites, and consideration of public safety are equally essential. Failure to comply can result not only in fines and lawsuits but also long-lasting reputational damage.
As of now, no official action has been confirmed against Sweeney, but Hernandez and other legal experts suggest that authorities could explore multiple avenues of enforcement. Civil penalties, criminal charges, and mandatory restitution for any damages are all within the realm of possibility. Additionally, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce could pursue its own legal remedies to deter future unauthorized stunts and protect the landmark’s integrity.
For Sweeney, the stunt has succeeded in generating enormous publicity for SYRN, but it may also lead to serious consequences if legal proceedings move forward. The case highlights how celebrity culture, social media, and marketing strategies intersect with legal frameworks — sometimes with unexpected results.
In the meantime, fans and critics alike are watching closely. While the video showcases creativity and daring, legal experts caution that it also illustrates the high stakes of interacting with protected cultural sites without full authorization. The Hollywood Sign remains one of the world’s most recognized landmarks, and any commercial exploitation must be handled with care, respect, and proper legal oversight.
Ultimately, the episode reinforces the message that even high-profile stars are subject to the law, and that bold marketing maneuvers, no matter how viral, cannot override legal and ethical obligations. For Sydney Sweeney, the stunt may be remembered both for its audacity and for the potential legal challenges that could follow.
In the weeks ahead, it will be crucial to see how authorities respond, whether fines or other enforcement measures are imposed, and how Sweeney and her team navigate the legal implications of their high-profile publicity stunt. The incident is already serving as a lesson for celebrities, marketers, and influencers everywhere: creative ideas must be balanced with legality, safety, and respect for iconic landmarks.