Artist Behind 'Hollyweed' Stunt Calls Out Sydney Sweeney's Hollywood Sign Stunt

Zach Fernandez says Sydney Sweeney shouldn't get a free pass for her recent Hollywood sign stunt.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 8:23pm

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Zach Fernandez, the artist who famously changed the Hollywood sign to read "HOLLYWEED" in 2017, is calling out Sydney Sweeney for her recent stunt of lacing the iconic sign with brassieres. Fernandez says Sweeney should be held to the same legal standard as he was, arguing that her stunt was a "brand-backed advertisement" while his was an "artistic intervention and cultural commentary." Fernandez was arrested and fined for his 2017 stunt, and he believes Sweeney should face similar consequences if the authorities decide to take action.

Why it matters

This case highlights the potential double standard in how authorities and the public respond to high-profile individuals engaging in unauthorized stunts on the Hollywood sign, compared to regular citizens. It also raises questions about the line between artistic expression and commercial promotion when it comes to modifying iconic landmarks.

The details

In 2017, Zach Fernandez, also known as Jesushands, was arrested and fined for changing the Hollywood sign to read "HOLLYWEED." He says his stunt was a tribute to a similar prank done in 1976. Fernandez now runs a California lifestyle brand called Hollyweed. In contrast, Sydney Sweeney's recent stunt of lacing the Hollywood sign with brassieres was done to promote her new lingerie line. Fernandez argues that his stunt was an artistic intervention, while Sweeney's was a "brand-backed advertisement," and that she should face the same legal consequences he did.

  • In 2017, Zach Fernandez changed the Hollywood sign to read "HOLLYWEED".
  • On January 27, 2026, Sydney Sweeney laced the Hollywood sign with brassieres.

The players

Zach Fernandez

Also known as Jesushands, he is the artist who famously changed the Hollywood sign to read "HOLLYWEED" in 2017. He was arrested and fined for the stunt, and now runs a California lifestyle brand called Hollyweed.

Sydney Sweeney

An actress who recently laced the Hollywood sign with brassieres as a stunt to promote her new lingerie line.

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What they’re saying

“When enforcement changes depending on who's involved or what's being sold, people notice.”

— Zach Fernandez, Artist (TMZ)

“Mine was an artistic intervention and cultural commentary. Hers was a brand-backed advertisement.”

— Zach Fernandez, Artist (TMZ)

What’s next

Authorities are still determining whether to take any legal action against Sydney Sweeney for her Hollywood sign stunt.

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential for double standards in how authorities respond to high-profile individuals engaging in unauthorized stunts on the iconic Hollywood sign, compared to regular citizens. It raises questions about the line between artistic expression and commercial promotion when it comes to modifying such a famous landmark.