Sydney Sweeney

Sydney Sweeney

Sydney Bernice Sweeney (born September 12, 1997) is an American actress. She gained early recognition for her roles in the series Everything Sucks!, The Handmaid's Tale, and Sharp Objects in 2018. She received wider acclaim for her performances in the drama series Euphoria (2019–2026) and the first season of the anthology series The White Lotus (2021), both of which earned her nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards.

In film, Sweeney garnered critical acclaim for her performances in the drama film Reality (2023) and for her portrayal of professional boxer Christy Martin in the biopic Christy (2025), and has also appeared in the box office hits Anyone but You (2023) and The Housemaid (2025). Her other film credits include Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), Madame Web (2024), and Immaculate (2024).

Sweeney has appeared in various advertising campaigns, some sparking controversy.

Early life

Sydney Sweeney

Sydney Bernice Sweeney was born on September 12, 1997, in Spokane, Washington. Her mother is a former criminal defense lawyer and her father works in the hospitality industry. She has a brother, Trent, who joined the U.S. Air Force in 2020. Sweeney was raised in the Idaho panhandle along the Washington border at a rural lakeside home that her family has inhabited for five generations. She has said her family is religious. Sweeney attended school at Saint George's School in Spokane. She said that she was active in numerous sports, and had a wakeboarding accident as a child in which the board sliced the area next to her eye, requiring 19 stitches.

Sweeney became interested in acting after auditioning for a role as an extra in an independent film shooting in the Spokane area. To convince her parents to allow her to pursue acting, she presented them with a five-year business plan. Sweeney began to audition and book commercial acting jobs in Seattle and Portland, Oregon, where the family temporarily resided, until moving to Los Angeles at age 13. In grade school, roughly around the fourth grade, Sweeney, having developed a love of mathematics at a young age, was in a mathematics club called Math Is Cool, and the school's robotics team. She attended Brighton Hall School in Burbank, California, and was valedictorian of her graduating class. In 2016, Sweeney briefly worked at Universal Studios Hollywood, but left after she was hired for an acting job.

Career

Early work (2009–2019)

As a child actress, Sweeney debuted on television in 2009 with a bit part in an episode of the series Heroes. Her first film role was in the 2010 horror comedy ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction. In 2011, Sweeney appeared in the short film Takeo, and the police drama series Chase, both roles earned her two nominations from the Young Artist Awards. Also in 2011, she acted in Michael Lembeck's made-for-television film The Bling Ring, based on the burglary group of the same name. Subsequently, she had supporting roles in television shows such as (/wiki/90210(TVseries)), Criminal Minds, Grey's Anatomy and Pretty Little Liars.

Sweeney in 2019 at the premiere of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

In 2018, she starred as Emaline Addario in the Netflix series Everything Sucks!, which revolved around two groups of high school students in Oregon in 1996. She appeared in the HBO miniseries Sharp Objects, recurring as Alice, a roommate whom Amy Adams's character meets at a psychiatric facility. Her character originally had a smaller role, but the director kept bringing her in for more scenes. For the role, Sweeney studied stories of girls who experience mental illness and self-harming, and visited hospitals with patients who self-harmed. She filmed Everything Sucks! and Sharp Objects concurrently, the former during the week and the latter on weekends. Sweeney had a role in the 2018 film Under the Silver Lake. She had a recurring role in the second season of the dystopian drama series The Handmaid's Tale as Eden Spencer, a pious and obedient girl from the totalitarian and theocratic Republic of Gilead. She starred as the heroine of the horror film Along Came the Devil. In 2019, Sweeney appeared in the drama film Clementine, the coming-of-age film Big Time Adolescence, and Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Breakthrough (2019–2023)

In June 2019, Sweeney took the role of Cassie Howard, a teenager with a reputation for promiscuity, in the HBO drama series Euphoria. The show was a breakout hit, becoming the third most watched HBO series as of 2025. Her performance was praised, earning her a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in (/wiki/74thPrimetimeEmmyAwards). Variety wrote that her performance "proves that Sweeney's one hell of a shapeshifter between her deft turns in this, The Handmaid's Tale, Everything Sucks and Sharp Objects." Her many nude scenes in the series received significant attention, and generated discussions about nudity in film and the male gaze.

In 2020, Sweeney founded the production company Fifty-Fifty Films. The same year, she starred in the television film Nocturne and Webtoon's live-action advertisement for the online comic Lore Olympus, appearing as Persephone. In 2021, Sweeney appeared in the first season of Mike White's anthology series The White Lotus as a sardonic college sophomore. For that performance, she was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie in (/wiki/74thPrimetimeEmmyAwards). She appeared on the Time 100 Next list for 2022.

Sweeney at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival in 2023

In 2023, Sweeney starred as U.S. Air Force veteran Reality Winner in Tina Satter's thriller drama Reality, which premiered in February at the 73rd Berlin Film Festival. Steph Green of IndieWire called the film "inventively mounted and extraordinarily tense" and Sweeney "the real deal". Jessica Kiang of Variety wrote that she played Winner "so convincingly that it's hard to remember her as the sardonic, pampered teen in The White Lotus, or the nice-girl-turned-nasty in Euphoria". Sweeney next had a role in the crime thriller Americana, which premiered at the South by Southwest Festival in March 2023.

Sweeney appeared in the video for the Rolling Stones' single "Angry", from their 2023 album Hackney Diamonds. In response to criticism that the video objectified her, she defended it as "empowerment through embracing my body". At age 25, Sweeney was selected as one of Forbes's 2023 30 Under 30 in the celebrity category. Later that year, she and Glen Powell starred in the romantic comedy Anyone but You, which premiered in December 2023. Sweeney was an executive producer for the film and was instrumental in hiring Powell and director Will Gluck. She also contributed to the script. The film became a sleeper hit, grossing over $220 million worldwide.

Established actress (2024–present)

In 2024, Sweeney had a supporting role in the superhero film Madame Web, set in Sony's Spider-Man Universe franchise. It was released in February and received negative reviews, bombing at the box office. Of the film's commercial and critical failure, Sweeney said, "I was just hired as an actress in it, so I was just along for the ride for whatever was going to happen." In March 2024, Sweeney hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live. After her appearance, the conservative Canadian newspaper National Post ran an article titled "Are Sydney Sweeney's breasts double-D harbingers of the death of woke?" and right-wing political scientist Richard Hanania tweeted "Wokeness is dead" alongside a clip of Sweeney centered on her bust. Sweeney called the obsession with her appearance "this weird relationship that people have with me that I have no control over".

Sweeney then produced and starred in the psychological horror film Immaculate. She originally auditioned for the project in 2014. Years later, she purchased the rights to the screenplay and hired frequent collaborator Michael Mohan to direct. Sweeney has said that she considered producing a way to create opportunities for herself. Later in 2024, she co-starred in Eden, directed by Ron Howard. Reviewing the film for TheWrap, critic Chase Hutchinson wrote that Sweeney "runs away with the whole thing ... it's her subtle looks and a growing agency that turns Eden into something more ... every moment with her at the forefront is Eden at its best."

Sweeney at the 2025 BFI London Film Festival

In June 2025, Sweeney starred alongside Julianne Moore in Echo Valley. She learned how to ride horses for the role. Americana was released in just over 1,000 theaters in August and was labeled a flop by the media, although Deadline predicted it would be profitable for an independent film.

Christy, a biopic about boxer Christy Martin, had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Sweeney starred as Martin and also produced the film. Commenting on the role, Sweeney said she was inspired by Martin's strength and perseverance. She said that playing a character "that has so many layers and depths, that's a dream as an actor ... I'm a very outdoorsy, athletic person, so to play a character that [required me] to transform myself was a dream". Critic Owen Gleiberman wrote that Sweeney gave a "potent, true-note, game-changing knockout of a performance ... She fully expresses the soul of a movie star, which is this: She completely becomes the character, and in doing so becomes us." Though the film was well received critically, it was a box-office disappointment. In the aftermath, Sweeney said: "I am so deeply proud of this movie ... We don't always just make art for numbers, we make it for impact. And Christy has been the most impactful project of my life."

In December 2025, Sweeney co-starred opposite Amanda Seyfried in The Housemaid, an adaptation of the bestselling novel of the same name. The film was successful at the box office, and a sequel is in development with Sweeney set to return in her role. In April 2026, she reprised her role of Cassie in the third season of HBO's psychological drama series Euphoria.

Upcoming projects

Sweeney will next appear in The Custom of the Country, written and directed by Josie Rourke. Sweeney will also star in Gundam, adapted from the Japanese science fiction anime of the same name, alongside Noah Centineo. Sweeney will also reprise her role as Millie in the Paul Feig-helmed sequel The Housemaid's Secret, with Kirsten Dunst co-starring.

Sweeney is also attached to play Kim Novak in Scandalous!, a romantic drama to be directed by Colman Domingo, and Hollow, a reimagining of the 1820 short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, directed by Lindsey Anderson Beer and also starring Belmont Cameli.

In June 2026, Sweeney and producer Kaylee McGregor launched Honey Trap, a film and television production company. The company signed a first-look deal with Sony Pictures, under which Sweeney is expected to develop and produce multiple projects.

Other ventures

Sydney Sweeney

Sweeney signing to fans at Christy world premiere, 2025

In January 2023, Sweeney became a brand ambassador for Armani Beauty and Laneige. Her other advertising deals include partnerships with Miu Miu, Samsung, Ford, Baskin-Robbins, Cotton On and Guess. In May 2025, she received widespread attention on social media after partnering with personal care brand Dr. Squatch to launch a limited-edition soap line containing her bathwater.

In January 2026, Sweeney draped dozens of bras over the Hollywood sign to promote her SYRN lingerie brand.

American Eagle

In July 2025, Sweeney appeared in an advertising campaign for American Eagle Outfitters called "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans". The ad became a subject of controversy, which The Hollywood Reporter called a "media firestorm". Some social media users, and eventually some academics, claimed that the pun on "jeans" and "genes", associated with a blonde-haired, blue-eyed white woman, promoted eugenics and white supremacy. The New York Times, The Independent and Deadline described the controversy as being largely manufactured by conservatives, while The Atlantic and the Los Angeles Times found the reactions from both sides exaggerated. Supporters of the campaign decried wokeness and cancel culture. The Trump administration, and eventually Donald Trump himself, commented on the controversy. In August 2025, media analysts interviewed by CNN said that Sweeney's public image had not suffered from the affair. American Eagle Outfitters later commended the results of the campaign. Sweeney initially said she was unaffected by the controversy and declined to comment further. In December 2025, she released a statement saying "Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just aren't true", and clarifying that she was "against hate and divisiveness".

Sweeney's second campaign for American Eagle Outfitters, called "Syd for Short", was unveiled in April 2026.

Novig

In September 2026, Sweeney appeared nude in an advertisement for the sports betting website Novig. The advertisement attracted criticism from several female athletes, including gymnast Gracie Kramer, sprinter Amy Hunt, and swimmer Ariarne Titmus, for objectifying and setting back women in sports. Others supported the ad as an example of body positivity, while some in marketing described the controversy as likely intentional. Commentators described the campaign and others like it resulting in Sweeney becoming "associated with causing buzz for a brand trying to raise its profile", while some supporters described the scrutiny as a result of Sweeney's "association with the political right".

Personal life

Sydney Sweeney

Sweeney started dating businessman Jonathan Davino in 2018, and they became engaged in 2022. They produced films together (including Anyone but You and Immaculate), and Sweeney considered Davino her "producing partner". The couple separated in early 2025. By June 2025, Sweeney was in a relationship with record executive Scooter Braun.

Sweeney is a car enthusiast and has owned a restored 1969 Ford Bronco and a 1965 Ford Mustang. As part of her partnership with Ford, Sweeney designed a custom 2024 Mustang.

In 2021, Sweeney purchased a 3,200-square-foot (300 m2) Tudor-style home in Los Angeles for US$3 million. In 2023, she bought a US$9.9 million "fixer-upper mansion" in Los Angeles's Bel Air neighborhood, and in 2024 she bought a US$13.5 million home in the Florida Keys.

Filmography

Film

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="2">2010</td><td>ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction</td><td>Lisa</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The Ward</td><td>Young Alice</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td>Takeo</td><td>Samantha Wright</td><td>Short film</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>Spiders 3D</td><td>Emily Cole</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td>Angels in Stardust</td><td>Annie</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">2015</td><td>Love Made Visible</td><td>Leah</td><td>Short film</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The Martial Arts Kid</td><td>Julie</td><td>Straight-to-video film</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Held</td><td>Lily Woods</td><td>Short film</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td>Dead Ant</td><td>Samantha "Sam"</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">2018</td><td>Under the Silver Lake</td><td>Shooting Star #2</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Along Came the Devil</td><td>Ashley Winbourne</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Relentless</td><td>Ally</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">2019</td><td>Big Time Adolescence</td><td>Holly</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Clementine</td><td>Lana</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Once Upon a Time in Hollywood</td><td>Dianne "Snake" Lake</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>Nocturne</td><td>Juliet Lowe</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">2021</td><td>The Voyeurs</td><td>Pippa Monroe</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Night Teeth</td><td>Eva</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">2023</td><td>Reality</td><td>Reality Winner</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Americana</td><td>Penny Jo Poplin</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Anyone but You</td><td>Beatrice "Bea" Messina</td><td>Also executive producer</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">2024</td><td>Madame Web</td><td>Julia Cornwall</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Immaculate</td><td>Sister Cecilia</td><td>Also producer</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Eden</td><td>Margret Wittmer</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">2025</td><td>Echo Valley</td><td>Claire Garrett</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Christy</td><td>Christy Martin</td><td>Also producer</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The Housemaid</td><td>Wilhelmina "Millie" Calloway</td><td>Also executive producer</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2026</td><td>The Devil Wears Prada 2</td><td>Herself</td><td>Deleted scenes</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">2027</td><td>The Housemaid's Secret †</td><td>Wilhelmina "Millie" Calloway</td><td>Also executive producer</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The Custom of the Country †</td><td>Undine Spragg</td><td>Post-production; also producer</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>TBA</td><td>Gundam †</td><td>TBA</td><td>Filming; also producer</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Television

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="2">2009</td><td>Heroes</td><td>Little Girl</td><td>Episode: "Hysterical Blindness"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Criminal Minds</td><td>Dani Forester</td><td>Episode: "Outfoxed"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">2010</td><td>Chase</td><td>Kayla Edwards</td><td>Episode: "Pilot"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>90210</td><td>Girl</td><td>Episode: "How Much Is That Liam in the Window"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">2011</td><td>Kickin' It</td><td>Kelsey Vargas</td><td>Episode: "Swords and Magic"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The Bling Ring</td><td>Izzy Fishman</td><td>Television film</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td>Grey's Anatomy</td><td>Erin Weaver</td><td>Episode: "Don't Let's Start"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>Stolen from Suburbia</td><td>Emma Hudson</td><td>Television film</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">2017</td><td>The Middle</td><td>Female Student #1</td><td>Episode: "The Final Final"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pretty Little Liars</td><td>Willa</td><td>Episode: "Till Death Do Us Part"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="4">2018</td><td>Everything Sucks!</td><td>Emaline Addario</td><td>Main role; 10 episodes</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The Handmaid's Tale</td><td>Eden Spencer</td><td>Recurring role; 7 episodes (season 2)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sharp Objects</td><td>Alice</td><td>Miniseries; 7 episodes</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The Wrong Daughter</td><td>Samantha</td><td>Television film</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2019–2026</td><td>Euphoria</td><td>Cassie Howard</td><td>Main role; 24 episodes</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>The White Lotus</td><td>Olivia Mossbacher</td><td>Main role; 6 episodes (season 1)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2021–2022</td><td>Robot Chicken</td><td>Barbie / Additional voices</td><td>Voice role; 4 episodes</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Saturday Night Live</td><td>Herself (host)</td><td>Episode: "Sydney Sweeney/Kacey Musgraves"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2026</td><td>Family Guy</td><td>Sydney</td><td>Voice role; Episode: "Tall Stewie"</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Podcasts

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2021	Strawberry Spring	Anne Bray	8 episodes

Web

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2017</td><td>In the Vault</td><td>Haley Caren</td><td>7 episodes</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>Day by Day</td><td>Winnie Chapman (voice)</td><td>Episode: "Winnie, Betty and... "</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>Downfalls High</td><td>Scarlett</td><td>Tickets to My Downfall album film</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Music video appearances

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Artist</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2019</td><td>"Graveyard"</td><td>Halsey</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>"Angry"</td><td>The Rolling Stones</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Awards and nominations

Sydney Sweeney

<table><thead><tr><th>Award</th><th>Year</th><th>Category</th><th>Work / Nominee</th><th>Result</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><th>AACTA Awards</th><td>2024</td><td>Audience Choice Award for Favourite Actress</td><td>Sydney Sweeney</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><th>Astra Film Awards</th><td>2026</td><td>Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama</td><td>Christy</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><th rowspan="2">Astra TV Awards</th><td rowspan="2">2022</td><td>Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series – Drama</td><td>Euphoria</td><td>Nominated</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td>Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series</td><td>The White Lotus</td><td>Nominated</td></tr><tr><th>Critics' Choice Television Awards</th><td>2024</td><td>Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television</td><td>Reality</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><th>Dorian Awards</th><td>2022</td><td>Best Supporting TV Performance</td><td>Euphoria</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><th>Dublin Film Critics' Circle Awards</th><td>2023</td><td>Best Actress</td><td>Reality</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><th>Fangoria Chainsaw Awards</th><td>2024</td><td>Best Lead Performance</td><td>Immaculate</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><th>Gracie Awards</th><td>2024</td><td>Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Movie Made for TV</td><td>Reality</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><th rowspan="2">MTV Movie & TV Awards</th><td rowspan="2">2022</td><td>Best Performance in a Show</td><td rowspan="2">Euphoria</td><td>Nominated</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td>Best Fight (shared with Alexa Demie)</td><td>Won</td></tr><tr><th rowspan="2">People's Choice Awards</th><td>2022</td><td>Drama TV Star of the Year</td><td>Euphoria</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Comedy Movie Star of the Year</td><td>Anyone but You</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><th rowspan="2">Primetime Emmy Awards</th><td rowspan="2">2022</td><td>Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series</td><td>Euphoria</td><td>Nominated</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td>Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie</td><td>The White Lotus</td><td>Nominated</td></tr><tr><th>Screen Actors Guild Awards</th><td>2019</td><td>Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series</td><td>The Handmaid's Tale</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><th>Santa Barbara International Film Festival</th><td>2026</td><td>Virtuoso Award</td><td>Christy</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><th>Sidewalk Film Festival</th><td>2019</td><td>Special Shout Jury Mention for Acting</td><td>Clementine</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><th rowspan="3">Young Artist Awards</th><td rowspan="2">2011</td><td>Best Performance in a Short Film – Young Actress</td><td>Takeo</td><td>Nominated</td><td rowspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td>Best Performance in a TV Series – Guest Starring Young Actress 11–15</td><td>Chase</td><td>Nominated</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>Best Ensemble Performance in a Streaming Series or Film</td><td>Everything Sucks!</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>