Sydney Sweeney underwent a grueling transformation for the boxing biopic “Christy,” gaining 30 pounds through intense training to portray Christy Martin.
The actress has now revealed that losing all that weight to return as Cassie Howard on “Euphoria” was physically and mentally demanding on her.
“Christy” debuted at just $1.3 million, but Sydney Sweeney emphasized its impact, highlighting its message of survival, courage, and raising awareness for domestic violence.
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Sydney Sweeney Shares Grueling Preparation For Role As Boxer Christy Martin In ‘Christy’
Sweeney has opened up about the intense physical and mental challenges of transforming her body for the upcoming boxing biopic “Christy” while quickly returning to her role on HBO’s “Euphoria.”
She portrays Christy Martin, one of America’s most renowned female boxers of the 1990s, whose career was later overshadowed by her husband’s attempted murder in 2010.
To embody Christy, Sweeney undertook a grueling three-month training program, working out three times a day and gaining 30 pounds to reach the boxer’s fighting weight of 135 to 137 pounds.
Her preparation included some unusual snacks, such as the frozen jam sandwiches known as Uncrustables.
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Co-star Ben Foster, who plays Christy’s promoter husband Jim, also gained weight for the role, leading to a humorous moment where Sweeney mistook his natural double chin for a prosthetic.
“I think it was the second week when Syd came up and just started touching my double chin… She was like: ‘That prosthetic looks really good.’ And I said: ‘That’s not a prosthetic,'” Foster recalled, per the Daily Mail.
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The Actress Describes Mental And Physical Strain Of Rapidly Reverting Her Body For ‘Euphoria’
However, just weeks after completing this transformation, Sweeney had to shed the pounds in only seven weeks to resume filming “Euphoria,” returning to her role as Cassie Howard.
Speaking to The Guardian, the Emmy-nominated actress described the process as both mentally and physically draining.
“It was definitely a mental challenge and almost a physical withdrawal from being able to work out so much, which was kind of like a weird serotonin drop,” she said. “I had to stop everything and drop all the weight,’ adding she had felt ‘the strongest, full-of-life version of myself.”
Despite the strain, Sweeney said she loved undergoing the transformation for the biopic.
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In an interview with Deadline, she explained, “I truly felt Christy’s power as I transformed. I really enjoyed being able to train and work with incredible boxing coaches, weight trainers, and nutritionists who helped me get to the place that I was for Christy.”
Sweeney also revealed that her intense diet included “a lot of Chick-fil-A, milkshakes, Smucker’s, and protein shakes.”
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Christy Martin Praises Sydney Sweeney’s Performance Ahead Of UK Premiere
Sweeney’s dedication to her role as the iconic boxer has already earned praise from Christy Martin herself.
Speaking to the Daily Mail ahead of the 2025 International Boxing Hall of Fame Parade in Canastota, New York, Martin described the actress as a “perfectionist” who took both the boxing and domestic violence aspects of the role very seriously.
“She was really serious about her boxing,” Martin said. “And with depicting the domestic violence, she wanted to make sure everything was right.”
The actress also turned heads at the BFI London Film Festival premiere last month, as she dazzled in a pink Alexander McQueen gown featuring a delicate lace neckline, sequins, ruffles, and a flowing train.
“Christy” is set to premiere in the UK on November 28 and currently holds a 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics and fans already buzzing about Sweeney’s transformative, potentially Oscar-worthy performance.
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Sydney Sweeney Stands By ‘Christy’ Despite Poor Box Office
Despite the critical acclaim, “Christy” experienced a disappointing box office debut.
The R-rated biopic opened to just $1.3 million over the weekend, marking one of the weakest U.S. openings for a film released in over 2,000 theaters.
Sweeney addressed the low numbers on Instagram, emphasizing that the film’s impact goes beyond revenue.
“We don’t always make art for numbers; we make it for impact,” she wrote. “‘Christy’ has been the most impactful project of my life.”
The Actress Speaks About The Film’s Focus On Domestic Violence And Its Potential To Help Women
Sweeney highlighted the film’s focus on domestic violence in her lengthy post, while speaking about the impact “Christy” had on her.
“This film stands for survival, courage, and hope,” the actress noted. “Through our campaigns, we’ve helped raise awareness for so many affected by domestic violence. We all signed on to this film with the belief that Christy’s story could save lives.”
Sweeney added a heartfelt note of gratitude to audiences, saying that if the film helps even one woman take her first step toward safety, then their mission has succeeded.
