Sydney Sweeney Promotes Christy Amid Mixed Reviews

Sydney Sweeney said she gained about 35 pounds and underwent intensive physical and mental preparation, including boxing, jiu-jitsu and a high-calorie regimen, to portray boxer Christy Martin in David Michôd’s biopic Christy, and she credited Martin’s guidance during filming. Christy premiered at TIFF and is slated for release on Nov. 7 by Black Bear Pictures. Critics praised Sweeney’s performance and physical commitment but widely criticized the screenplay and several supporting performances, with The Boston Globe calling the script shockingly inept and reviewers saying the film falls short of awards-season expectations. Sweeney promoted the film at the NASCAR Cup Series Championship in Phoenix on Nov. 3, where she gave a speech tying the movie’s themes to the race, posed with drivers and WNBA guard Sophie Cunningham, and posted photos from the event. The appearance also became a fashion story—she debuted a platinum blonde bob and a racing-inspired look—and tabloid coverage revisited a tense late-night exchange with her ex-fiancé Jonathan Davino in Los Angeles hours before the race.