Sydney Sweeney, the renowned actress now starring in the boxing biopic 'Christy', found herself amidst a wave of criticism following the film's less-than-stellar performance at the box office. The movie grossed $1.31 million across more than 2,200 theaters and quickly gained the label as one of the lowest-opening wide releases in recent times.
Behind the numbers lies more than just a poor financial showing; a genuine controversy surrounded Sweeney. Ruby Rose, a plus-size model and well-known social media personality, targeted both her and 'Christy'. Rose blamed Sweeney for sabotaging the project, using harsh language and accusing her of alleged anti-gay sentiments.
Sweeney's transformation for her role as legendary boxer Christy Martin came under fire too. She gained two-and-a-half stone for authenticity and even took real hits in the ring during filming. Critics focused heavily on her "new body," stirring debates about representation and body image. In response to these pointed comments, Sweeney took to Instagram.
She shared footage of her rigorous training regime alongside a powerful message:
"I am who I am—my body is not a storyline."This statement fueled further discussions on societal issues such as image perception, feminism, and accountability within Hollywood.
Ruby Rose’s severe criticisms didn't go unnoticed either. She publicly referred to Sydney as a "cretin" while discussing 'Christy's' failure. The term reignited conversations around respect among peers in show business.
Talks emerged highlighting potential jealousy aimed at conventionally attractive women like Sweeney within the entertainment industry. Though many attribute much of this backlash towards mere envy over appearances, others argue it underscores deeper-rooted issues regarding how women are perceived.
For Sydney Sweeney, playing Christy Martin became more than an acting challenge; it got entwined with broader themes involving representation standards for female transformations onscreen today.
