Why Sydney Sweeney Keeps Making Headlines (3 of 4)

Meanwhile, Sweeney’s involvement in a different controversy, namely the rumors surrounding her relationship with actor Glen Powell, added another dimension to her public persona. Powell and his then-girlfriend, model Gigi Paris, broke up in 2023 after a three-year relationship. Paris never accused anyone of cheating directly but expressed frustration that Powell never publicly defended their relationship or shut down the rumors that he and Sweeney had a thing for each other. Although there has never been any evidence that Sweeney had played any role in the split, she’s openly admitted that she leaned heavily on fan speculation about her chemistry with Powell as a way to promote their romantic comedy Anyone But You. It’s precisely this kind of cynicism that has caused so many to resent the actress.

Another scandal that deserves our attention is one of Sydney Sweeney’s latest roles, where she looks almost unrecognizable as boxer Christy Martin. The actress stunned fans when she unveiled her dramatic new look in late 2024, but not everyone was impressed. Her physical transformation—gaining more than 30 pounds of muscle and visibly reshaping her body—sparked huge backlash online, with critics questioning whether the change was “too extreme.”

Behind the controversy was months of intense preparation. Sweeney committed to a brutal routine: early weightlifting sessions, hours of kickboxing, and another round of training at night. She admitted her clothes no longer fit, her body shifted in ways she had never seen before, and yet she felt stronger than ever. Director David Michôd praised her dedication, saying she threw herself into the role with total abandon.