Sydney Sweeney has undergone a remarkable physical transformation for her latest role in the sports biopic Christy, portraying world champion boxer Christy Martin. Ahead of the film’s release on November 7, Sweeney shared insights into her demanding preparation, challenges during filming, and her evolving career at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival in 2025. This Sydney Sweeney Christy Transformation highlights her dedication to authenticity and the emotional weight of bringing a real person’s story to life.
Preparing Physically and Mentally for the Demanding Role
In preparation for the role of Christy Martin, Sydney Sweeney invested months into physical training, sparring daily to embody the champion boxer realistically. She gained 35 pounds to match Martin’s powerful physique, combining intense workouts and boxing practice to meet the film’s physical demands. Sweeney described her mental state in the lead-up to filming as deeply focused, having spent two to three months readying both body and mind for the role.
Reflecting on the experience, she explained that the most nerve-wracking moment was meeting Christy Martin herself before production began.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was hoping she’d like me. That, I think, was more nerve-wracking than getting on set for the first day, because when I’m on set, that’s my happy place,”
she said, emphasizing how preparation helped her feel at ease once filming started.
The film, directed and co-written by David Michôd, features an ensemble cast including Chad L. Coleman, Ben Foster, Katy O’Brian, Merritt Wever, and Ethan Embry. Sweeney highlighted her collaboration with Ben Foster, who portrays James V. Martin, describing him as one of the most talented and generous scene partners she has worked with. Their shared approach to acting, which avoids heavy rehearsal in favor of spontaneous discovery, contributed to a dynamic on-screen relationship.
Capturing the Film’s Most Intense and Harrowing Scenes
A pivotal and challenging part of Christy centers on a violent attack within the story’s final act, which was filmed during the project’s very first week. Sweeney reflected on the difficulty of filming this sequence, in which her character is brutally stabbed and shot. She noted that although director David Michôd originally wished to schedule this intense scene later in production, logistical constraints led to it being shot early, allowing the cast to “dive in” and confront its weight head-on before moving on to other scenes.
The depiction of violence was handled deliberately with sensitivity. Instead of showing the attack directly, the film relies on sounds and the reactions of surrounding characters to convey the brutality, a choice Sweeney praised.
“Sometimes when you see something, it almost takes away from how real it is when it’s on film. If it’s left to the audience’s imagination and interpretation, it can be scarier, and oftentimes, with domestic violence, it’s what happens behind closed doors.”
Portraying Christy’s struggle after the attack required thoughtful interpretation of how to convey pain and shock. Sweeney described working closely with Michôd to develop a performance that reflected a state of shock paired with inner strength — showing Christy’s determination to stand and fight despite unimaginable physical and emotional trauma. She shared that they explored multiple approaches before settling on a depiction of pain combined with resilience, underscoring her character’s enduring will to survive.
Embracing the Challenge of Portraying Real People in Film
Following Christy, Sydney Sweeney is set to portray classic Hollywood icon Kim Novak in Colman Domingo’s directorial debut, Scandalous! She expressed excitement about this opportunity, saying she has developed a passion for bringing real-life figures to the screen.
“I’m definitely finding a love for playing real people. It’s a very different approach and a different experience for me,”
Sweeney said, noting the parallels between her own experiences in the industry and Novak’s story.
This latest role continues a trajectory of tackling complex, emotionally demanding characters, a path that resonates with Sweeney’s appreciation for the richly developed female roles prevalent in Hollywood today. Addressing aspiring actors and students at SCAD, she shared valuable advice born from her career struggles and successes:
“You’re going to be told no so many times from people you thought you could look up to, from your peers, from people along the way, and you’ve just got to keep your head down and focus on you and what you want. Don’t let anyone else define or control your dream.”
Continuing the Journey with ‘Euphoria’ and Upcoming Projects
Sydney Sweeney recently wrapped filming Season 3 of the HBO series Euphoria, where she portrays Cassie. Though uncertain about the show’s future, Sweeney shared that she doesn’t believe she will ever truly say goodbye to the character, reflecting a deep connection to the role and the series’ impact.
Having begun acting as a child, Sweeney now finds herself at the forefront of Hollywood productions, choosing projects that inspire her. She feels fortunate to be part of a creative era rich with well-written, multifaceted female leads, calling it “living my dream.” She also looks forward to the release of Paul Feig’s upcoming film The Housemaid, which she describes as a thrilling project based on a favorite book.
With Christy debuting in theaters this November alongside a growing list of exciting ventures, Sydney Sweeney’s career continues to ascend, marked by transformative performances and an unwavering commitment to bringing compelling stories to life.
