Sydney Sweeney has steadily built a career that balances both critical acclaim and mainstream recognition. From her early role in “The Handmaid’s Tale” to her breakout performance in “Euphoria,” Sweeney has proven herself a versatile talent on both television and film. She has since expanded into producing, taking creative control of projects like “Immaculate” and “Anyone but You,” demonstrating a drive to shape her career on her own terms.
Her work spans a wide range of genres, from psychological thrillers and dramas to romantic comedies and superhero films. Sweeney’s commitment to fully inhabiting her characters—whether through intense physical training, emotional depth, or producing input—has made her one of the most dynamic young actors working today. Now, with her role as champion boxer Christy Martin in the upcoming biopic “Christy,” she adds another transformative performance to her growing résumé.
How Sydney Sweeney Trained to Play Champion Boxer Christy Martin
At a panel hosted by Deadline during TIFF, Sydney Sweeney opened up about the intense preparation behind her portrayal of champion boxer Christy Martin in the film Christy. “I absolutely loved it,” Sweeney said of the transformation. “I truly felt Christy’s power as I transformed. And I really enjoyed being able to train and work with incredible boxing coaches and weight trainers and nutritionists that helped me get to the place that I was for Christy.” To fully embody the role, she worked with a nutritionist and gained 30 pounds.
Having Martin on set brought both pressure and inspiration. “I have to admit, at first I was very nervous, because, I mean, she’s right there, and I’m portraying her. She is such an inspiring, incredible woman, and I wanted to do justice by her,” Sweeney said.
But as she spent time with the real-life boxer, her nerves gave way to admiration and connection: “After you spend time with Christy, and you get to know her and you’re close with her, you want her around all the time. I kept texting her, ‘When are you going to come visit? When are you going to come back?’ I loved having her presence there. The crew loved having her presence there. We all really enjoyed her energy and her spirit.”
Beyond the physical demands, Sweeney emphasized how the role required fully stepping into Martin’s mindset. By combining her rigorous training, mentorship from Martin, and her creative input as a producer, Sweeney brought both authenticity and depth to the character, marking Christy as a standout moment in her career.