Sydney Sweeney underwent a rigorous physical transformation, gaining over 30 pounds and training extensively in boxing, to authentically portray Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic, reflecting her commitment and passion for the role.
Sydney Sweeney has taken on many roles, but transforming into boxer Christy Martin was a whole new challenge. The 27-year-old Emmy-nominated actor had to undergo significant physical changes for the part.
The biopic, still unnamed, features Sweeney as Martin. She dove headfirst into a demanding training regimen to embody a championship boxer, gaining over 30 pounds and taking boxing lessons to nail every aspect of the role.
“I loved it,” Sweeney shared with W magazine. “I came onboard to play Christy, and I had about three and a half months of training. I started eating. I weight-trained in the morning for an hour, kickboxed midday for about two hours, and then weight-trained again at night for an hour.”
Her transformation was evident when she posted a photo on social media, showcasing her new look as Martin.
Christy Martin, during her career, was just slightly taller than Sweeney but competed between 147 to 168 pounds. As a multi-time champion and one of the first women inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Martin set a high bar, and Sweeney aimed to do her justice.
“My body was completely different,” Sweeney said. “I didn’t fit in any of my clothes. I’m usually a size 23 in jeans, and I was wearing a size 27. My boobs got bigger. And my butt got huge. It was crazy! I was like, Oh my god. But it was amazing: I was so strong, like crazy strong.”
Interestingly, Sweeney has a history with combat sports. She’s frequently seen at UFC events, thanks to her six years of Brazilian jiu-jitsu training as a teen.
“My mom told me from a very young age to fall in love with as many things as possible,” Sweeney said. “And so I did fall in love, again and again: I love sports. I love being outside. I was on the ski team, and I wakeboarded. I slalom ski on water. I was on the soccer team and the softball team.”
“And then my parents got me into grappling, which is like wrestling, and kickboxing. I was the only girl at the dojo. I trained there from 13 until about 19. I fought all guys. I liked to think that if shit went down, I might be able to step up.”
Filming the biopic was physically demanding, but Sweeney speaks passionately about the role and her excitement for the film’s release.
After wrapping up production, Sweeney had to quickly shed the weight and muscle to return to her role as Cassie on HBO’s Euphoria. A challenging transition, no doubt.
There’s no release date yet for the biopic, but Sweeney is proud of her work and hopes to have honored Martin with her portrayal.