It has been an exceptionally challenging year for rising Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney, who has found herself navigating multiple controversies while her latest film suffers a devastating box office performance.
Box Office Disaster for Boxing Biopic
The actress's new film Christy, in which she portrays Hall of Fame boxer Christy Martin, has delivered what industry analysts are calling a knockout blow to her cinematic ambitions. According to Box Office Mojo, the biopic managed to gross only $1.3 million during its opening weekend across 2,011 theatres.
This disappointing performance places the film among the top 12 worst openings ever for movies showing on more than 2,000 screens. The Wrap reported that the film averaged a meagre $649 per venue, indicating extremely poor audience turnout despite the project's significant theatrical distribution.
Sweeney had invested considerable physical effort into the role, telling The Sun about her immersive approach to the boxing scenes. 'The girls and all the fights you see are real,' she revealed. 'When I walked in and I met with everyone, I said, 'I want you to hit me. And I want you to hit me hard.''
The actress sustained genuine injuries during production, including a bloody nose and concussion, demonstrating her commitment to the physically demanding role. Despite these efforts and a respectable 67% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film failed to connect with audiences.
Political Controversies and Republican Links
The box office disappointment comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Sweeney's political affiliations and commercial endorsements. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the 28-year-old actress is a registered Republican voter, placing her at odds with the predominantly liberal Hollywood establishment.
This political revelation was compounded by controversy surrounding her American Eagle jeans advertisement campaign. The autumn advertising rollout featured the tagline 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans', with Sweeney stating in an accompanying video: 'Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality and even eye colour... my genes are blue.'
The campaign drew immediate criticism from those who interpreted the wordplay as promoting racial dog whistling and eugenicist language. Critics argued the advertisement appealed to right-wing and white-nationalist groups online by suggesting genetic superiority.
The controversy escalated when former President Donald Trump publicly expressed support for both the actress and the brand, further politicising the situation. When questioned by GQ about Trump's endorsement, Sweeney maintained her composure, stating: 'It was surreal... it's not that I didn't have that feeling, but I wasn't thinking of it like that.'
Hollywood Fallout and Celebrity Feuds
The political and commercial controversies appear to be affecting Sweeney's relationships within the entertainment industry. Recent reports suggest she's locked in a bitter feud with Euphoria co-star Zendaya, with sources indicating the pair are refusing to stand near each other at events.
Insiders working on the HBO drama claim their rift stems from their starkly different political views, with Zendaya being an outspoken critic of Trump while Sweeney has openly supported the former president. 'It's no wonder she's refusing to do it,' one source revealed about Zendaya's apparent reluctance to participate in joint press activities for Euphoria's upcoming third season.
Adding to her industry troubles, White Lotus co-star Aimee Lou Wood recently publicly criticised Sweeney's response to the American Eagle controversy. The British actress commented with a nauseated-face emoji on photographer Misan Harriman's Instagram post condemning Sweeney's refusal to acknowledge the harm caused by the campaign.
Personal Life Under Scrutiny
Beyond her professional challenges, Sweeney's personal life has also attracted significant media attention. Her seven-year relationship with Jonathan Davino ended earlier this year, though the pair were recently spotted together in Santa Monica, where witnesses reported a heated argument between them.
More recently, Sweeney has been romantically linked to music executive Scooter Braun, with sources suggesting the pair are planning to move in together and take their relationship 'to the next level'.
Despite the multiple controversies and professional setbacks, Sweeney maintains a defiant attitude toward her critics. 'You just know who you are,' she told Extra about coping with public scrutiny. 'And the people who matter and are your friends and your family, they know who I am.'
What's Next for the Embattled Star?
Looking ahead, Sweeney will soon appear in The Housemaid alongside Amanda Seyfried, scheduled for December release. Her commitment to the third season of Euphoria remains firm, though the reported tension with Zendaya may complicate promotional activities.
Industry rumours also suggest she's being considered for a role in the next James Bond film, with Amazon boss Jeff Bezos reportedly advocating for her casting. When questioned by Variety about the Bond rumours, Sweeney responded cautiously: 'I think I'd have more fun as James Bond.'
Additionally, the actress is developing a lingerie line backed by significant investment from Bezos and fellow tech billionaire Michael Dell through their Coatue Innovation Fund.
As Hollywood continues to grapple with its relationship with performers holding conservative political views, Sydney Sweeney's career trajectory may serve as a bellwether for whether the industry can accommodate ideological diversity or whether political alignment remains a prerequisite for mainstream success.
