Sydney Sweeney unveiled a striking new hair transformation as she attended the AFI Fest premiere of her film Christy on October 25 in Los Angeles. Known for her blonde hair, the actress surprised fans by adopting a lighter, shorter bob that complemented her pastel pink lace gown on the red carpet.
This Sydney Sweeney hair transformation was a deliberate choice to mark a fresh chapter both personally and professionally, aligning with the themes of her new movie.
Behind the Scenes: The Inspiration and Process of the Hair Change
Colorist Jacob Schwartz, who was responsible for Sweeney’s new look, shared that the actress sought a dramatic change to celebrate the film’s release.
“Sydney was looking for a change and wanted to have a big hair moment for the red carpet to support her new movie, Christy,”
Schwartz said, adding,
“It felt like the perfect time to do something bold.”
The actress transitioned from a dark suede blonde to an icy shade that enhances her facial features. Schwartz explained to Vogue,
“The color really makes her eyes and features pop and complements the cut so well.”
Transformations on and Off Screen: Portraying Christy Martin
In the biopic Christy, Sweeney embodies boxing legend Christy Martin, undergoing multiple hair and style changes throughout the film. These range from a brunette mullet and a shaggy pixie to blonde box braids, reflecting the real-life evolution of the fighter.
Her longtime hairstylist, Glen Coco, noted the symbolism behind the transformations, saying,
“Christy has a lot of underlying tones of resilience, transformation and power.”
He emphasized that Sweeney’s off-screen transformation was designed to mirror this journey:
“Sydney herself transformed herself for this role, and I wanted to morph her into this updated version of herself in real life. Something new and fresh to close out the rest of the year.”
Physical Preparation and Body Transformation for the Role
Sydney Sweeney didn’t limit her changes to hair alone; she also underwent a significant physical transformation to authentically portray Christy Martin’s boxing career. In preparation, she gained 30 pounds and radically altered her physique.
Reflecting on Martin’s story, the actress expressed admiration:
“I was blown away that her story wasn’t more known on a universal, global level because it’s just one of the most harrowing and inspiring women that I’ve ever met in my entire life,”
Sweeney told Vanity Fair in September.
“I felt very strong and powerful. I loved it. Being able to lose myself to become a vessel for somebody else is my dream.”
She trained extensively in boxing to embody the role realistically.
“My stances and a lot of my technique is different than boxing,”
Sweeney said.
“You square up differently, and, of course, you don’t get brought to the ground — everything’s on your feet. … Every single fight you see [in the movie], we are actually punching each other. We are going full force.”
Dedication to Authenticity in Fight Scenes
Sweeney emphasized the importance of authenticity in her fight sequences, insisting on performing her own stunts without relying on doubles.
“I always believed that you would not be able to make it feel real if it’s a stunt double or if it’s faking the hits,”
she explained, underlining the intense physical demands of the role.
Her training regimen was rigorous, lasting about three months. Recalling her daily routine in an interview with W magazine, she said,
“I loved it. I came onboard to play Christy, and I had about three and a half months of training. I started eating,”
she recalled.
“I weight-trained in the morning for an hour, kick-boxed midday for about two hours, and then weight-trained again at night for an hour.”
Remarkable Changes and Strength Gains From Training
Sweeney’s transformation extended beyond gaining weight, as her entire body shape changed dramatically.
“I didn’t fit in any of my clothes. I’m usually a size 23 in jeans, and I was wearing a size 27,”
she shared.
“My boobs got bigger. And my butt got huge. It was crazy! I was like, ‘Oh, my god.’ It was amazing. I was so strong, like crazy strong.”
The Significance of Sydney Sweeney’s Hair and Role Change
This Sydney Sweeney hair transformation symbolizes more than a style update—it reflects the actress’s commitment to evolving alongside her demanding role as Christy Martin. By embracing such a bold look for the red carpet, Sweeney displays the same resilience and transformation central to Martin’s story and her own journey as an actress.
Fans can expect to see this refreshed and intense version of Sweeney throughout the release and promotion of Christy, as she continues to immerse herself fully in this powerful and inspiring story.
