Note: we are republishing this story, which originally made the news in December 2024.
Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney, best known for her role in HBO’s Euphoria, continues to make waves in the entertainment world with her undeniable talent and entrepreneurial spirit. Despite her accolades—including two Emmy nominations and the launch of her production company, Fifty-Fifty Films—the 27-year-old actress has found herself in the crosshairs of online critics this week.
Sydney Sweeney looking into the mirror, Photo Credit: sydney_sweeney/Instagram
Sweeney, who has often been celebrated for her adherence to conventional beauty standards—blonde, thin, and striking—was targeted after paparazzi photos of her surfaced online. The images, taken outside her Florida home, showed a more athletic physique, reflective of her preparation for her role as boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming film. But instead of admiration for her dedication, the photos sparked a wave of harsh comments.
Social media users pounced, with one posting the images alongside the caption, “All women are catfish. The question is, to what degree.” Others chimed in with cruel labels such as “frumpy” and “chunky.” These criticisms came despite Sweeney’s training for a role that pays homage to Martin, a boxer who survived a near-fatal domestic assault and became a symbol of strength and resilience.
Screenshot of a tweet captioning Sydney Sweeney’s bikini photos as evidence she is a “catfish”, Photo Credit: Nuclear Caudillo/X
In response, Sweeney took to Instagram to address the negativity head-on. She shared a video juxtaposing the hateful remarks with clips of her rigorous boxing training, highlighting her commitment to embodying Martin’s spirit. Sweeney described the athlete as “incredible” and a beacon of hope and perseverance, making it clear she’s proud to take on the role.
This isn’t the first time Sweeney has stood up to her critics. In 2021, she tearfully responded to being called “ugly” on Twitter, and earlier this year, her team issued a rebuttal to a producer’s disparaging comments about her acting and appearance.
Sydney Sweeney working out in a boxing ring from her instagram, Photo Credit: sydney_sweeney/Instagram
The backlash against Sweeney has reignited conversations about impossible beauty standards and the relentless scrutiny women face, even those who seemingly fit the mold. Zeynab Mohamed, writing in her Substack Face Value, called out the “double bind” women face: “When [Sweeney] looks polished on Instagram, she’s accused of being fake. When paparazzi capture her in unguarded moments, she faces criticism for appearing too authentic.”
Others have noted that male stars rarely face the same level of scrutiny. While actors like Chris Hemsworth might not always look camera-ready, they’re not subjected to the same level of public ridicule.
Sydney Sweeney holding up a handbag in a photo posted to her instagram, Photo Credit: sydney_sweeney/Instagram
Journalist Helen Coffey added that the vitriol directed at Sweeney reveals a deeper issue: a society eager to see women “fall from grace.” She wrote, “It doesn’t matter what you look like. No woman will ever meet the standards of men who harbor resentment toward women—because their goal is for us to fail.”
As Sydney Sweeney prepares for her transformative role, she’s proving that she’s more than capable of rising above the noise. While the online attacks are a stark reminder of the unrealistic pressures women face, Sweeney’s focus on her craft and resilience sends a powerful message: success and self-worth are not defined by the opinions of strangers.
Sources: Yahoo
