Sydney Sweeney is pulling no punches—literally and figuratively.
In a new interview with Sky News about her latest film, Christy, the actress revealed her personal struggle with the societal pressure for women to appear flawless and self-sufficient. The film, based on the life of trailblazing boxer Christy Martin, gave Sweeney the opportunity to reflect on her own challenges navigating strength, vulnerability, and public expectations.
“I really have a hard time asking for help,” Sweeney admitted. “My friends have pointed it out recently, saying, ‘Sydney, it’s okay to ask. You can.’ There’s nothing wrong with it—but I find it incredibly difficult.”
The Euphoria star went on to explain that this struggle isn’t unique to her. “I think it’s especially challenging for women. There’s so much pressure on us to have everything under control,” she said. “When we do ask for help, it’s often seen as weakness. A man can ask for help and no one thinks twice. But if a female director does, people say, ‘She’s not ready for this role.’”
Director David Michôd, who helmed Christy alongside his wife Mirrah Foulkes, echoed the sentiment, noting how often women are unfairly judged for admitting uncertainty. “Mirrah has faced that a lot,” he said. “When women say, ‘I don’t know,’ it’s treated like a red flag. Meanwhile, I probably say that 20 times a day.”
Their collaboration brought Christy to life—a film that doesn’t just showcase boxing but also dives into Martin’s private battles: her identity as a closeted gay woman, the years of abuse she suffered from her husband and trainer Jim Martin, and her survival after his violent attack in 2010.
Known as The Coal Miner’s Daughter, Christy made history in 1993 as the first woman signed by legendary boxing promoter Don King. She went on to win the WBC female super welterweight title in 2009 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
But behind the accolades lay trauma. In 2010, Jim Martin stabbed and shot her during a brutal confrontation. Christy managed to escape and survived. Jim was convicted in 2012 and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He died in custody in November 2024.
Michôd described Christy’s story as “incredible” and “inspiring,” recalling how meeting her just weeks before filming left a lasting impression. “She’s incredibly warm,” he said. “Given everything she’s been through, her spirit is extraordinary. And in the boxing world, she’s a total rock star.”
Despite its emotional depth, Christy opened modestly at the U.S. box office with $1.3 million, ranking among the lowest wide releases of the year. But for Sweeney, success isn’t measured in ticket sales. “We don’t always create art for numbers,” she said earlier. “We make it to make an impact.”
