Sydney Chandler cut from cover after refusing to pose with co-stars

Kyle Chandler’s daughter was pulled from a magazine cover shoot.

Sydney Chandler, daughter of Emmy-winning actor Kyle Chandler, has found herself at the centre of a media storm after being removed from Variety’s cover story for the upcoming FX series Alien: Earth. The move followed what insiders described as increasingly difficult behaviour during the show’s press tour.

According to Variety, Chandler’s team informed them a day before the shoot that she would not participate in a Q&A segment alongside co-star Timothy Olyphant and showrunner Noah Hawley. The objection? She reportedly didn’t want to sit down with 'two older men' for what was meant to be a playful video segment.

Variety offered her alternative formats and even allowed her team to suggest questions, but nothing came of it. Chandler later cited illness to withdraw entirely. Despite attempts to reschedule, the publication ultimately cut her from the shoot. Olyphant and Hawley appeared on the cover without her.

Hawley didn’t hide his disappointment. “The show is built around Sydney’s character, and the work she did as a professional was tremendous,” he said. “I’m disappointed that my female-centric show, based on a female-facing franchise, does not have my lead actress on the cover. It felt awkward to be there with Tim without her.”

Chandler attempted to clarify her stance in a follow-up interview, insisting that she’s “just a private person” and “new to press.” She claimed she was eager to discuss the series but found the press format overwhelming.

The backlash was immediate. Online forums lit up with debate over whether her actions reflected unprofessionalism or a need for more respectful promotional practices. While FX has yet to issue a formal statement, the incident has already shifted focus away from the show and squarely onto Chandler herself.