Sydney Sweeney Prioritizes Film Over American Eagle Controversy at TIFF

Sydney Sweeney has chosen to focus on her upcoming film rather than the controversy surrounding her recent American Eagle jeans campaign. Ahead of her appearance at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 5, 2023, she made it clear that she will not be discussing the backlash during interviews. Instead, her attention is on promoting her new project, Christy, which tells the inspiring story of boxer Christy Martin.

Focus on Film and Empowering Stories

In a conversation with Vanity Fair, Sweeney stated her commitment to supporting the film and its team, saying, “I am there to support my movie and the people involved in making it, and I’m not there to talk about jeans.” Her role in Christy allows her to highlight the life of Martin, who rose from humble beginnings in West Virginia to become a prominent female boxer in the 1990s. Sweeney expressed her surprise at the lack of awareness surrounding Martin’s story, calling it “one of the most harrowing and inspiring women” she has ever encountered.

The film’s director, David Michôd, shared his vision for the project, describing it as a blend of a traditional sports narrative that transitions into a deeply moving exploration of personal struggle. He remarked, “One of the things that drew me to this story was the idea of being able to make a movie that starts, in a way, as a beautiful, wild, underdog sports movie, but then starts to shift into something that’s really harrowing and, ultimately, deeply moving.”

Preparation and Realism in Performance

To prepare for her role, Sweeney underwent extensive training, gaining between 30 to 35 pounds and even experiencing concussions during filming. She emphasized the importance of authenticity, stating, “Every single fight you see, we are actually punching each other. We are going full force.” Sweeney believes that using stunt doubles would not convey the same level of realism that the film demands.

Michôd, who co-wrote the film with Mirrah Foulkes, was inspired by watching the documentary Untold: Deal With the Devil, which features Martin’s life. He highlighted the film’s broader relevance, pointing out that the issues depicted in Martin’s life resonate globally. “It’s true all over the world that these relationships exist in epidemic proportions, and they too often frighteningly end up in partner homicide situations. It’s a global emergency,” he noted.

As Sweeney steps into the spotlight at TIFF, her focus remains unwaveringly on celebrating the story of Christy Martin and the collaborative effort behind the film, distancing herself from external controversies. The festival promises to be a platform for her to shine a light on the inspiring narrative she helps bring to life.