Sydney Sweeney offered a glimpse of her retro-inspired appearance for the upcoming crime-thriller Americana, sharing behind-the-scenes photos that highlight her transformation. The 27-year-old actress posted the sneak peek on Instagram on August 13, ahead of the film’s theatrical release scheduled for August 15, emphasizing her role as Penny Jo, a small-town waitress with dreams of country music stardom.
Character Details and Co-Stars in the New Crime Thriller
In the images, Sweeney sports voluminous curls, a bandana, and casual attire befitting her character. She was seen playing guitar and smiling inside a trailer, capturing the essence of Penny Jo’s personality. Among the cast is Halsey, portraying Mandy Starr, who appeared rock-inspired with an ’80s hairstyle and posed with rock ’n’ roll hand signs while filming her scenes. The story follows Penny Jo’s partnership with Lefty Ledbetter, a military veteran played by Paul Walter Hauser. Together, they find themselves targeted by a dangerous criminal while trying to recover a rare Native American artifact.
Sweeney’s Inspiration and On-Screen Aspirations
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Sweeney shared insights into Penny Jo’s motivations, revealing the character’s idolization of Dolly Parton. She explained,
Dolly [Parton] is definitely her biggest aspirational role model,
and added,
Dolly is almost like a godlike figure to Penny Jo, and I really wanted to make sure that we had the aspirations of being Dolly, but then, she doesn’t have the resources.
This connection highlights Penny Jo’s struggle to achieve her dreams despite limited means.
Backlash of Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle Campaign
While promoting Americana, Sydney Sweeney has also been navigating controversy surrounding her American Eagle denim campaign, titled Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans. The advertisement stirred significant backlash, facing criticism for being overly sexual and sparking accusations related to eugenics. American Eagle responded to the outcry through a statement released on August 1, clarifying their intent.
The brand emphasized,
We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way,
and affirmed,
Great jeans look good on everyone.
Despite Sweeney not publicly addressing the controversy herself, a source told Us Weekly that
Sydney thinks this whole thing has been blown out of proportion.
Fan Reactions and Support Amid the Controversy
Despite the negative responses to the ad, fans have expressed strong support for Sweeney on social media, especially following her Americana BTS post. Comments include statements like,
They could never make me hate you Sydney,
and,
I love how she pisses so many people off by just existing,
along with,
Just remember, none of the haters were your fans to begin with so please ignore them.
This outpouring of encouragement reflects the polarized reaction to the actress’s current public presence.
‘Americana’ Film Release and Anticipation
Americana is set to hit theaters on August 15, finally allowing audiences to see Sydney Sweeney embody Penny Jo. The film’s narrative combines elements of crime thriller and character-driven drama, focusing on the intriguing relationship between Penny Jo and Lefty Ledbetter as they confront perilous challenges. This project marks another notable role for Sweeney as she continues to evolve professionally while managing the public spotlight intensified by recent controversies.
