Did Sydney Sweeney just cry her way into playing Christy Martin?

Sydney Sweeney cried and begged to play Christy Martin in the new biopic, revealing her dedication to the role

Sydney Sweeney revealed in a recent interview with Ethan Hawke for Variety that she cried and pleaded to land the lead role in Christy, the upcoming biopic about boxing legend Christy Martin.

The actress, who first gained recognition on HBO’s Euphoria, described reading the script as a powerful emotional experience.

“I couldn’t believe that I had no idea who this woman was,” Sweeney said. “Halfway through the script, I was bawling my eyes out. The moment I finished, I got on a Zoom with the director [David Michôd], begging him to please let me do this project. I was like, ‘I will do anything for you. I will lose myself.’”

Sweeney shared that her background in kickboxing made her drawn to projects in the MMA fighting space, and she fully immersed herself in training for the role. She reportedly worked out twice a day, gaining 35 pounds to match Martin’s physique, and insisted on performing realistic fight sequences. Every fight scene in the movie follows Christy Martin’s actual combinations, with Sweeney participating fully, even enduring minor injuries.

The biopic explores Martin’s trailblazing career in women’s sports, as well as her personal struggles, including abusive relationships. Sweeney’s dedication highlights her commitment to portraying the complexities of Martin’s life authentically.

Ethan Hawke, in the interview, praised Sweeney for fully losing herself in the role, emphasizing the artistry and challenge of embodying a real-life figure. The Christy biopic is highly anticipated for its depiction of a pioneering female athlete and the dedication of its lead actress.