Sydney Sweeney undertook rigorous training and an unexpected diet to prepare for her role as Christy Martin, the famed female boxer, in the new biopic Christy. The film premiered on September 5 at the Toronto International Film Festival, where Sweeney appeared alongside Martin at the Princess of Wales Theatre, sharing insights into her demanding preparation.
The 27-year-old actress described her training regimen, saying,
I trained for two or three months before I had a boxing coach,
and explained,
I had weight trainers, I had nutritionists, I trained three times a day every day, and then while I was filming, I trained as well.
Director David Michôd added humor by revealing that Sweeney’s diet surprisingly included a lot of Chick-fil-A. The actress confirmed this, adding that her meals often featured
a lot of Smucker’s, a lot of milkshakes, a lot of protein shakes.
She reflected on the experience, noting,
But it was incredible being able to completely embody such a powerful woman.
Handling Criticism and Online Backlash
As Sweeney transformed physically for the role, she faced criticism and body-shaming on social media. Instead of retreating, she responded assertively by posting an Instagram montage that juxtaposed harsh comments on her appearance with clips of her intense workout routines, including boxing drills. This response highlighted her dedication to the role despite negative public reactions.
Emotional Reception at Toronto Film Festival
Following the screening of Christy, the audience gave a standing ovation, leaving Sweeney visibly moved. She praised Martin, stating,
As you can tell, she’s such a special and incredible human being, and her story deserves to be told,
and added with emotion,
Christy, you are absolutely incredible, and I’m so honored.
The actress also described the mix of inspiration and nervousness she felt with Martin present during filming:
Being able to have her by my side during this process was a dream — but then also just scary too,
she said, followed by,
Because you’re like, ‘Oh, my gosh, we’re doing this in front of her.’
Martin, renowned for her dominance in women’s boxing during the 1990s, expressed her excitement to share the premiere with Sweeney, joking,
It was one thing to be in a Tyson fight,
and adding,
It’s another thing to be at a premiere with Sydney Sweeney.
A Portrayal of Strength and Struggles
Directed by David Michôd and co-written by Katherine Fugate and Mirrah Foulkes, Christy portrays Martin’s rise in the boxing world, while also addressing her personal challenges, including domestic abuse. The film is scheduled for release in theaters on November 7.
Sweeney summed up her journey at the festival, telling the audience,
Being able to completely embody such a powerful woman,
was
worth every single step of the journey.
