Sydney Sweeney, Hollywood’s golden girl, is no stranger to headlines. Known for her breakout roles in Euphoria and The White Lotus, her star power only continues to rise, with leading roles in films like Anyone But You and countless magazine covers. But this December, Sweeney made waves for a completely different reason.
Taking a stand against body-shamers, the actress shared a bold Instagram video, showcasing a barrage of cruel comments — usernames included. The video then transitioned to clips of Sweeney in the gym, lifting weights and proving her strength, with no caption necessary. The post spoke volumes on its own.
The hateful remarks surfaced after candid photos of Sweeney in a bikini, allegedly taken without her consent, spread online. But instead of staying silent, Sweeney used the moment to showcase her resilience. Turns out, her intense workout routine was part of her preparation for her role in an upcoming biopic about Christy Martin, the celebrated female boxer.
Back in October, Sweeney confirmed her involvement in the project, sharing on Instagram, “Over the past few months, I’ve been immersed in training to bring to life the story of an incredible woman — a true champion who fought battles both inside and outside the ring.” For the role, Sweeney has even traded her signature blonde locks for brown curls, fully transforming into the boxing legend.
While the trolls came out in force, Sweeney’s supporters rallied around her even more fiercely. Comments flooded her post, with Anyone But You co-star Glen Powell writing, “You’re such a badass. This movie is gonna be [fire].” Her Madame Web castmate Isabela Merced chimed in, “These people would never say it in person. Too scared. But if they ever did? Best believe it’s hands.” Even pop icon Kesha added her voice, calling Sweeney a “strong baddie.”
Support for Sweeney extended to X (formerly Twitter), where fans defended her with equal passion. One user tweeted, “If you cannot recognise that a blonde woman doesn’t wake up with jet black eyelashes and face glitter, you might be too stupid to reach.” Another bluntly declared, “All the men calling Sydney Sweeney fat deserve to die alone.”