Sydney Sweeney Opens Up About Being Sexualized in Hollywood — And Why She’s Embracing Her Power

💥 Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney is speaking candidly about the challenges of being sexualized as an actress — and why she’s learning to take control of the narrative.

During an Oct. 28 appearance on SiriusXM’s The Julia Cunningham Show, the 28-year-old actress addressed how the perception of her roles has shaped public opinion. The conversation turned to her role as a pregnant nun in the 2024 horror film Immaculate, when a review criticized her costume: “She’s constantly in a wet white shirt — this is ridiculous.”

Sweeney laughed, recalling her reaction: “I’ve been dealing with it since Euphoria, so I’m kind of used to it at this point.”

From Cassie to Christy: The Struggle of Being Typecast

Sweeney reflected on how her breakout role as Cassie in Euphoria created a lasting pop-culture image that’s been difficult for audiences to separate from her real self.

“Yeah. I think Cassie was just such a big pop culture character — with Euphoria and the zeitgeist of that generation. It was honestly the first big thing people saw me in, and I think it’s difficult for people to disassociate actors from their roles, especially a character like that,” she said.

Even her own brothers tease her through memes inspired by her characters, Sweeney joked. But she notes that every subsequent role — Reality, Christy, Americana, Eden — challenges audience perceptions and pushes her through “growing pains” as an actor.

Finding Strength Through Roles

Currently starring in Christy, portraying real-life professional boxer Christy Martin, Sweeney spoke about the inspiration she drew from Martin’s story:

“I know what it feels like to be underestimated, to have people define you before you’ve had a chance to define yourself. I know what it feels like to have to prove that you deserve to be here, to be seen, to be taken seriously,” she said while accepting an award for advocacy at Variety’s Power of Women event on Oct. 29.

“But every one of us has our own fight, and Christy reminds us all that strength doesn’t look loud sometimes, and sometimes it’s just about getting back up again and again, no matter who’s watching.”

Embracing Her Power and Her Image

Sweeney didn’t shy away from attention at the event, stepping out in a sheer silver dress that made headlines. Her Euphoria co-star Sharon Stone defended the choice on the red carpet:

“It’s OK to use what mama gave you. Everybody has their own certain kind of hotness, their own certain thing, and you’re supposed to go for that. Because who are you not to be beautiful?”

Sweeney’s message is clear: being sexualized is part of the Hollywood conversation, but owning her image and her roles gives her control.

💬 Fans are responding: The internet is buzzing with admiration for Sweeney’s honesty and confidence, hailing her as a modern icon for embracing both vulnerability and power in Hollywood.