Ruby Rose has publicly criticized Sydney Sweeney in response to the underwhelming box office performance of the recent Christy Martin biopic, which opened on November 7. The dispute highlights tensions surrounding the film’s reception and the portrayal of the LGBTQ+ community, a central theme in the story of the female boxing legend.
Ruby Rose’s Public Criticism of Sydney Sweeney
On November 11, Ruby Rose expressed strong disappointment over her exclusion from the Christy Martin project and directed pointed remarks at Sydney Sweeney. Rose claimed in a Threads post that the original script was “incredible” and “life changing,” revealing that she was initially set to play a character named Cherry. She underlined the importance of authentic representation within the cast, noting that many involved shared a connection with the LGBTQ+ experience that motivated their careers.
Rose further suggested that Sydney Sweeney lacked genuine support for the queer community, writing,
“None of ‘the people’ want to see someone who hates them, parading around pretending to be us,”
a reference to Martin’s own identity as a lesbian. Her comments culminated in a harsh condemnation directed at Sweeney, stating,
“You’re a cretin and you ruined the film. Period. Christy deserved better.”
Sydney Sweeney’s Response and Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Visibility
Sydney Sweeney, who portrays Christy Martin, has publicly shown support for LGBTQ+ individuals. In an October interview with PinkNews, she described feeling excited for the queer community to see Christy’s story onscreen and expressed hope that the film would “open doors for others.” Following the film’s disappointing debut—which earned $1.3 million across over 2,000 theaters, marking one of the lowest openings in box office history—Sweeney shared an emotional statement on Instagram.
She wrote on November 10,
“I am so deeply proud of this movie. Proud of the film [director David Michôd] made, proud of the story we told, proud to represent someone as strong and resilient as Christy Martin.”
Sweeney emphasized the film’s broader mission, mentioning campaigns to raise awareness about domestic violence and the hope that Christy’s story could inspire others.
“If Christy gave even one woman the courage to take her first step toward safety, then we will have succeeded,”
she added, affirming the film’s impact beyond box office numbers.
The Life and Legacy of Christy Martin
Christy Martin, the biopic’s subject, is a pioneering woman boxer who began her career in 1989 after meeting her trainer James Martin, portrayed by Ben Foster in the film. She won the World Boxing female super welterweight title in 2009 and fought professionally until 2012. In 2016, Christy became the first female boxer inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.
The film explores significant challenges from her life, including a near-fatal attack in 2010 by James Martin, who was later convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Christy’s journey also addresses her realization of being a lesbian at a young age and the personal struggles she faced with her mother’s homophobia. She married fellow boxer Lisa Holewyne in 2017, a relationship that features in the narrative of the biopic.
Christy Martin’s Praise for Sydney Sweeney’s Portrayal
Despite the off-screen controversy, Christy Martin expressed admiration for Sydney Sweeney’s performance at the film’s world premiere during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival in September. Speaking to the audience, Christy said,
“I think that’s why Sydney Sweeney’s doing such an awesome job because she got to be this totally different person that none of you expected. She wasn’t the beautiful, sexy Sydney. She was the tough, rugged Christy in this movie, and I think it’s awesome. I mean, she kicked ass.”
In a private interview with Us Weekly on November 5, Christy reflected on the emotional difficulty of watching her life story unfold onscreen. She said,
“It’s crazy, the first time I watched it, it was just me and Lisa, and I don’t even remember seeing some of the scenes.”
Christy recounted how it took another viewing at the Toronto festival for her to fully grasp the gravity of certain moments, explaining that parts of her brain “shut it down” to protect her from reliving traumatic events.
“This is somebody [who] tried to kill me and left me for dead, and to see that played out is tough,”
she shared.
Future Implications for the Film and Its Message
The Christy Martin biopic’s disappointing box office launch, combined with the public conflict between Ruby Rose and Sydney Sweeney, illustrates the challenges films face when tackling sensitive subjects, representation, and audience expectations. Rose’s accusations bring attention to debates about authentic casting and support within the LGBTQ+ community. Meanwhile, Sweeney’s dedication to honoring Martin’s story and the cause behind it suggests that the film’s value may lie more in its message and impact than in financial success.
As the conversation unfolds, this controversy might affect how future biopics involving LGBTQ+ figures and underrepresented communities approach casting, storytelling, and promotion. For now, the film stands as a tribute to Christy Martin’s resilience and survival, underscoring the hope that stories like hers can empower others facing adversity.
