Actress Sydney Sweeney has scored a major win in her career just weeks after facing backlash over her American Eagle ad campaign.
The 28-year-old Euphoria star received the Achievement in Acting Award at the Hamptons International Film Festival for her powerful portrayal of a female boxer in the upcoming biopic Christy.
The film tells the inspiring story of perseverance and transformation, and Sweeney said the role pushed her both physically and emotionally. Sharing photos from the event on Instagram, she wrote, “Thank you @hamptonsfilm for the achievement in acting award for @christy.movie,” while proudly holding her crystal trophy.
A demanding transformation for Christy
During a Q&A session at the festival, Sweeney revealed the intense preparation behind her performance.
“Every morning I would weight train for an hour, then do boxing for three hours, and another hour of weight training at night,” she said. “I did that every day for three months with a nutritionist — eating tons of food, protein shakes, and supplements.”
Her grueling routine helped her gain 35 pounds of muscle to fully transform into a professional boxer.
From backlash to breakthrough
Sweeney’s award comes shortly after she faced online criticism for her American Eagle campaign. Despite the controversy, her recognition at the Hamptons Festival highlights her rising status in Hollywood and her dedication to taking on challenging, transformative roles.
Industry observers have praised her ability to move seamlessly between commercial and artistic projects, proving she’s more than just a style icon — she’s a serious actor with impressive range and determination.
