Sydney Sweeney’s portrayal of champion boxer Christy Martin in the new film ‘Christy’ has empowered her to confront past personal mistreatment and ongoing public criticism, with the role providing her inner strength to stand up for herself amid recent controversies. The actress credits the physically and emotionally demanding part with giving her the courage to address exploitation in her own life while navigating a media firestorm over her high-profile appearances.
Sweeney found herself at the center of national controversy this week after wearing a sheer silver dress to Variety’s Power of Women event in Beverly Hills and making a surprise cameo during Fox’s World Series pregame coverage. Social media reactions were sharply divided, with critics lambasting her choices as inappropriate while supporters defended her right to self-expression. At the World Series, she introduced Game 4 between the Dodgers and Blue Jays, delivering a speech about winning being ‘bruised’ and ‘messy,’ which some viewers misinterpreted or attacked online.
Behind the headlines, sources reveal that Sweeney endured significant mistreatment from someone in her past who exploited her financially and emotionally. ‘Sydney went through a lot with someone in her past who mistreated her,’ said one insider. ‘This person used her and took advantage of her — including financially.’ The role of Christy Martin, a real-life boxer who survived a near-fatal attack by her abusive husband, helped Sweeney find resilience and self-assurance in facing these challenges.
Playing Christy ‘gave her the strength to remind herself who she is,’ the source added, with Sweeney herself acknowledging the impact. ‘Christy taught me a lot about myself, actually,’ she told an LA audience after a screening in October. ‘She taught me how to stand up for myself more and feel stronger in my personal life, my work life.’ The actress underwent a dramatic transformation for the part, gaining 30 pounds and training intensively in boxing to authentically portray Martin’s journey.
The film ‘Christy,’ which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to a standing ovation, chronicles Martin’s rise from a West Virginia coal miner’s daughter to a breakout star in boxing, including her experience as the first female boxer on the cover of Sports Illustrated. It features shocking scenes re-creating the 2010 incident where Martin was stabbed and shot by her husband, James Martin, who was later convicted of attempted murder. Sweeney has emphasized the personal importance of the domestic violence storyline, hoping it raises awareness.
Martin herself praised Sweeney’s dedication, saying, ‘I never could imagine the It girl in Hollywood could get down, get dirty and be me.’ The real-life boxer, who now considers Sweeney a close friend, advised her to ‘be true to herself’ and maintain a small, trusted circle in Hollywood. This guidance comes as Sweeney navigates personal changes, including her recent split from fiancé Jonathan Davino and new relationship with music executive Scooter Braun, whom she met at Jeff Bezos’s wedding.
Sweeney’s ability to weather criticism was tested earlier this year when her American Eagle campaign faced accusations of being ‘Nazi propaganda,’ though it ultimately boosted sales and attracted nearly a million new customers to the brand. Her cleavage also sparked debate during her ‘Saturday Night Live’ hosting stint in 2023, highlighting how her public image often invites scrutiny. Despite this, she has become one of Hollywood’s most powerful young actresses, with her salary for ‘Euphoria’ reportedly rising to $1 million per episode and movie paydays increasing significantly.
As ‘Christy’ prepares for its wide release, Sweeney’s journey mirrors her character’s fighting spirit, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity. With Oscar buzz building for her performance, she emerges as a figure who, like the boxer she portrays, refuses to be knocked down by opponents in or out of the ring, setting an example of strength and perseverance for her peers and fans.