Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · October 13, 2025 · Entertainment

Sydney Sweeney's Rigorous Transformation for 'Christy': Meet the Muscle-Building Method

Sydney Sweeney suited up to promote her gritty role in David Michôd's biopic Christy at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, CA on Saturday night

Sydney Sweeney Steals the Spotlight: Actress Unleashes Her Inner Boxing Beasts in Gritty Biopic "Christy"

In a stunning display of physical transformation, Sydney Sweeney is redefining what it means to be a Hollywood leading lady. The 27-year-old actress has undergone an impressive 30-pound muscle gain to play the role of Christy Martin, a trailblazing female boxer, in David Michôd's biopic "Christy." And by all accounts, she nails it!

Sweeney looked absolutely stunning as she arrived at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood on Saturday night, accompanied by her co-star Ben Foster. The actress donned a sleek Brunello Cucinelli skirt suit, which was perfectly complemented by her waist-length extensions and flawless makeup courtesy of hairstylist Glen "Coco" Oropeza and makeup artist Melissa Hernandez.

The 27-year-old American Eagle brand ambassador - who's dating Scooter Braun - looked sophisticated wearing a Brunello Cucinelli skirt suit as she strolled arm-in-arm into the venue with her onscreen leading man Ben Foster (R)

But what's truly remarkable about Sweeney's transformation is not just the physical change but also the emotional depth she brings to the role. As a former kickboxer herself, Sweeney draws from her own experiences to bring authenticity to the character of Christy Martin. "The physical transformation was quite challenging," she revealed during a Q&A session. "I had three months to train. I grew up boxing. I kickboxed and grappled from like 12 to 19."

Sweeney's passion for martial arts is evident in her words, but what's even more inspiring is how she connected with Christy Martin herself. "When I read about Christy and I read the script, I was completely blown away," Sweeney said. "She's one of the most incredible, inspiring women I have ever met."

The film, which hits US theaters on November 7 and UK theaters on November 28, has already garnered a 71% critic approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many praising Sweeney's performance. But what sets this biopic apart is its unapologetic feminism and the way it tackles themes of strength, resilience, and female empowerment.

Sydney wore waist-length extensions fastened by hairstylist Glen 'Coco' Oropeza and make-up artist Melissa Hernandez made sure she was ready for her close-up at the Film Independent-sponsored FYC screening

Christy Martin, played by Sweeney, was a trailblazer in her own right. She scored 49 wins, seven losses, and three draws with an impressive 31 wins by knockout, earning her the title "The Lady Is a Champ" on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1996. Her personal life has been marked by tragedy, including surviving a brutal attack by her ex-husband James V. Martin in 2010.

But Sweeney's portrayal of Christy is not just about physicality; it's also about the emotional scars and the strength that comes from within. "Christy taught me a lot about myself, actually, throughout the entire process," Sweeney said. "She taught me how to stand up for myself more and be stronger in my personal life and my work life."

With her Oscar nomination aspirations riding high (she's currently ranked 10th on Gold Derby), Sweeney is undoubtedly one of the most exciting young talents in Hollywood today. But what's even more impressive is her commitment to projects that challenge social norms and push boundaries.

Sweeney managed to packed on 30lbs of muscle on her 5ft3in figure in order to more authentically portray professional boxer Christy Martin

In addition to "Christy," Sweeney has several other high-profile projects in the works, including executive producing and starring in Paul Feig's adaptation of Freida McFadden's novel "The Housemaid" (Lionsgate), reprising her breakout role as Cassie Howard in season three of HBO's hit show "Euphoria," and producing Colman Domingo's directorial debut "Scandalous!" about the love affair between Kim Novak and Sammy Davis Jr.

As an influencer, Sweeney has built a lucrative brand with paid partnerships for top brands like Jimmy Choo, Samsung Mobile USA, Dr. Squatch, LANEIGE US, Bai, and HEYDUDE. But make no mistake, this is more than just a pretty face – Sydney Sweeney is a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood.

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The Eden actress revealed during the Q&A: 'The physical transformation was quite challenging. I had three months to train. I grew up boxing. I kickbox and grappled from like 12 to 19...It was one of my favorite things to do. I was the only girl at the dojo and I loved it'

  • "Sydney Sweeney transforms into boxer Christy Martin for gritty biopic" (thescholarlynote.com)
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • IMDb

Sydney added: 'When I read about Christy and I read the script I was completely blown away. I had no idea who this woman was. She's one of the most incredible, inspiring women I have ever met. So as I was training I did like two hours of weight training every morning and night'

The 56-year-old trailblazing prize fighter - who scored 49 wins, seven losses, and three draws with 31 wins by knockout - famously appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, which declared her 'The Lady Is a Champ' in 1996 (pictured)

Sweeney recalled: 'Christy taught me a lot about myself, actually, throughout the entire process. She taught me how to stand up for myself more and be stronger in my personal life and my work life. We both fight our own fights in different types of rings'

The 135-minute sports drama will also feature Katy O'Brian, Merritt Wever, and Ethan Embry

And while the Americana star is aiming for a best actress Oscar nomination, Gold Derby currently has her ranked in 10th place below Jessie Buckley, Cynthia Erivo, Emma Stone, Amanda Seyfried, Julia Roberts, and Jennifer Lawrence

Christy currently has a 71% critic approval rating (out of 49 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes, a 57 Metacritic rating (out of 13 reviews), and a 5.4/10 rating on IMDb