Sydney Sweeney defends Christy biopic after box office flop and intense Hollywood backlash

Sydney Sweeney has spoken out in defense of her new film Christy after its disappointing debut at the box office. The 28-year-old actress took to Instagram on Monday to express pride in the biopic, which chronicles the life of Hall of Fame boxer Christy Martin, despite its poor opening performance.

According to The Wrap, Christy earned just $1.3 million across 2,011 theaters during its opening weekend, averaging $649 per location — placing it among the 12 weakest box office debuts ever for a film released on over 2,000 screens.

Sweeney, who also produced the film, addressed critics directly, writing, “I am so deeply proud of this movie. Proud of the film David made. Proud of the story we told. Proud to represent someone as strong and resilient as Christy Martin. This experience has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”

Sweeney’s comments come amid a turbulent year for the Euphoria star, who has faced heightened media scrutiny over her political views and personal life. Reports of her being a registered Republican voter and controversy over an American Eagle campaign involving the wordplay “jeans” and “genes” have drawn criticism from some circles in Hollywood.

Speaking to The Sun about her preparation for the physically demanding role, Sweeney described the production as both grueling and rewarding. “When you watch those fights, we’re actually hitting each other. We were knocking each other out and getting bloody noses. I even got a concussion,” she said.

Sweeney also credited Martin’s story as her inspiration. “Her story made us fight harder for ourselves and for every woman who has ever been silenced,” she noted.

Christy Martin, nicknamed “The Coalminer’s Daughter,” became a boxing trailblazer after winning the 1996 WBC women’s lightweight title and later became the first female boxer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.