Actress Ruby Rose has openly criticized Sydney Sweeney following the disappointing box office performance of the film Christy. The biopic, which opened to a weak $1.3 million across 2,011 theaters, has sparked a public dispute between the two actresses.
Ruby Rose, known for her LGBTQ+ activism and roles including Batwoman, took to social media platform Threads to place blame on Sweeney, accusing her of damaging the film’s authenticity. Rose revealed she was previously attached to portray Christy Martin in an earlier development of the project and expressed frustration with how the movie ultimately turned out.
“The original Christy Martin script was incredible. Life changing. I was attached to play Cherry. Everyone had experience with the core material. Most of us were actually gay. It’s part of why I stayed in acting. Losing roles happens all the time.”
Rose’s comments pointed to a striking contrast between the original vision and what was released, claiming the change in casting and approach weakened the film’s core message.
Swift Reproach and Language Adjustment from Ruby Rose
Rose did not hold back in her condemnation of Sweeney’s recent remarks about making Christy “for the people,” accusing her of misrepresenting the community and ruining the film.
“None of ‘the people’ want to see someone who hates them, parading around pretending to be us. You’re a cretin and you ruined the film. Period. Christy deserved better.”
After receiving criticism for using the term “cretin,” Rose quickly acknowledged it as an ableist insult and replaced it with a harsher word.
“F***! Cretin is an ableist term? I thought it meant creature in old English. I regret writing that and should have just said psychopath.”
Christy’s Struggle to Connect with Audiences
Christy, directed by David Michôd and produced by Black Bear, was the studio’s first wide release but failed to find a significant audience despite premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September. Sydney Sweeney stars as Christy Martin, the professional boxer whose story the film attempts to tell.
In response to the box office results, Sweeney stood by the project, emphasizing the film’s importance beyond financial success and highlighting its intended message.
“We don’t always just make art for numbers, we make it for impact. If Christy gave even one woman the courage to take her first step toward safety, then we will have succeeded.”
Her defense centers on the film’s thematic focus on survival, courage, and hope rather than traditional metrics of popularity.
Ongoing Controversies Surrounding Sydney Sweeney
The backlash from Rose adds to mounting controversies linked to Sydney Sweeney, which include criticism of her participation in an American Eagle ad campaign and her public support for former President Donald Trump. In a recent GQ interview, Sweeney addressed the waves of criticism with a nonchalant stance.
I think that when I have an issue that I want to speak about, people will hear.
Reports also suggest tensions between Sweeney and her Euphoria co-star Zendaya, in part due to their opposing political views.
What the Dispute Means for the Film and Its Future
The public feud between Ruby Rose and Sydney Sweeney highlights underlying issues about representation and authenticity in the portrayal of real-life stories. Christy’s underwhelming financial performance combined with the negative publicity could impact its long-term reception and visibility.
While Sweeney continues to defend the film’s message, Rose’s sharp rebuttals may influence audience perception, especially among those invested in LGBTQ+ representation. The controversy may also affect future projects tied to either actress, as well as conversations about who is best suited to tell certain stories. As the fallout develops, the film’s legacy may rest more on this public debate than its box office numbers.
