Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney plays boxing legend Christy Martin in her latest film and went to extreme lengths in training, gaining 35lbs and suffering concussion, bruises and bloody noses to get the part right
05:14 ET, 28 Nov 2025Updated 05:43 ET, 28 Nov 2025
Sydney Sweeney has undergone a body transformation for her new role(Image: Getty Images for GQ)
Sydney Sweeney’s newest film project marks a dramatic departure from her previous work.
In the sports drama Christy, she returns to her kickboxing roots – a martial art she practiced during her youth – as she embodies West Virginia boxing legend Christy Martin. The actual Christy, now 57 and no longer competing, endured a tumultuous personal journey alongside her remarkable athletic achievements, including childhood sexual abuse and her parents’ rejection when she revealed her sexuality.
Euphoria actress Sydney, 28, who’s also slated to star in the screen version of bestselling novel The Housemaid this December, opens up about the physical demands, dedication, and weight changes required for her latest role, as she abandons her signature glamorous image for a grittier, more authentic appearance using “method” acting techniques.
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What was required for you to transform into a fighter matching Christy Martin’s caliber?, reports the Mirror.
Sydney Sweeney picked up a few bruises and bloody noses during filming her new role(Image: BoxofficeOneMedia/Youtube)
The physical metamorphosis demanded serious dedication.
I spent three months training in the gym prior to filming, which I thoroughly enjoyed since I’d practiced kickboxing previously and was seeking a reason to return.
While it was enjoyable for me, it represented something I’d been forced to abandon when I joined Euphoria [the popular television series she became part of in 2019].
Were you prohibited from both acting and kickboxing simultaneously?
“I wasn’t. But I’ve never felt as strong as when I trained for this.
“To be able to get into that kind of physical shape and to play a woman as inspiring as Christy was a thrill for me. The more I trained and the more I discovered about her, the more I realized how incredible she is.”
You look so different in this film. Did you have any reservations about that?
“No, I was excited to do it. I wanted desperately to do Christy justice and to make her proud.
“I really love to play characters that I can disappear into and just totally transform. I threw myself into every aspect of this character.
“I built a gym in my house. I had a professional boxing trainer, a weight trainer and a nutritionist.
“I was working hard every day to get where I needed to be physically.”
You gained 35lb as part of that transformation. Was that difficult to do?
“It was really just part of the process. It was a matter of building muscle, lots of protein shakes and filling up with calories.
“It was a lot. I felt so sick all the time.
“I mean, it’s a lot harder to lose than it was to put it on, that’s for sure. But even with the high calorie intake and the eating, as soon as I started boxing the weight would drop off.
“Afterwards, it was just a matter of redressing that balance.”
You were instrumental in making this film happen as a producer. What appealed to you about it?
“The story of this woman, who fought so hard both inside and outside the ring, is truly inspiring. Her accomplishments as a boxer and her role in paving the way for many women in the sport are simply incredible.
“The battles she faced in her personal life are equally inspiring. The more I learned about Christy’s story, the more I found myself identifying with her.
“She serves as an inspiration to girls everywhere.”
There’s a lot of emphasis on the physical aspect, but there are also numerous emotional scenes….
“Indeed, and they were two very distinct processes. The physical stuff was enjoyable.
“I could train and feel ready. However, some days it was about transitioning from that to a significant emotional scene.
“It presented a different challenge. We were fortunate to have Christy with us.
“I had the opportunity to speak with her frequently and understand her mindset during those moments. It was all about immersing myself in the moment, working with the script, and just going for it.
“That’s my preferred way of working.”
The fight scenes in the movie are intense. Did you ever get hit for real?
“Indeed, what you see in the film is actually me getting hit and making contact with the other girl in the ring. I didn’t want it to feel unreal.
“It had to feel like it was really Christy fighting in there, with all the emotion she carries. Some of the girls I was in the ring with were stunt people, but we also had some real fighters.
“I told them to go full-force. I was like, ‘Hit me. I want you to hit me!’
‘” I got a concussion once. Other than that, it was just a few bruises and bloody noses.”
You’ve mentioned how your background in kickboxing helped. Did you ever compete?
“I did compete a few times. I fought some guys and beat them.
“Kickboxing was something I was really into, but it’s kind of hard to keep doing it with this job. It’s not allowed.
“I would love to get back in the ring for real, but it’s hard to do anything like that with this job. It’s a fun idea but I haven’t had any offers yet.”
What have you taken away from playing this remarkable woman?
“So much. This has been a life-changing experience for me in such a positive way.
“Playing Christy and getting to know her has taught me how to stand up for myself and what I need to do to feel stronger in my work life as well as my personal life. It’s made me feel ready to stand up for the people in my life and to always be there for them.”
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“It’s also made me remember just how much I love boxing.”
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