26-year-old actress Sydney Sweeney has been facing backlash for her recent film, “Anyone But You.” Known for her acting in the teen drama series “Euphoria,” Sweeney is rising to fame. While drama seems like a trying genre for any actor, her debut was discounted by many. Viewers saw her physical attributes and beauty as the sole reason she was able to obtain her fame, ignoring her skill. This however is due to their lack of consistency when it comes to what they are watching.
In “Euphoria,” Sweeney portrays a high school senior named Cassie who deals with heartbreak, betrayal and seemingly endless drama. This show grew in popularity which, as a result, increased Sweeney’s popularity.
“I first saw Sydney Sweeney in Euphoria and she did a great job and now I try to watch anything that has her in it,” FHS senior Emma Lher said.
Because of their general lack of knowledge about the new actress, viewers had difficulty separating her from her character.
Now seen as an infatuated sex-hungry teen due to Cassie’s reputation, Sweeney continued to act next majorly appearing in season one of “White Lotus,” a comedy-drama TV show where she yet again plays a young teenage girl, but this time it is different.
“I think that [Sweeney] portrayed the character appropriately and that her acting was a big part in the show’s success because of how important her role as the daughter was and how well she executed it,” FHS senior Katie Kunishige said.
In 2023, Sweeney starred in the documentary-thriller, “Reality,” based on the story of the girl who leaked top-secret information about foreign interference in the 2016 presidential election. Here, Sweeney played Reality Winner, a translator turned convicted espionage. The script is the real transcript of FBI agents interviewing her at her house and gathering information to convict her. She impressively embodied her character as viewers watched her slowly realize that she was caught. Sweeney’s acting was phenomenal in this film, but because of the lack of promotion, many people have not gotten the opportunity to see her true acting skills. She no longer plays a dramatic teen, but rather a complex adult who navigates life.
Her most recent film, “Anyone But You,” gained popularity quickly, but with increased viewers came increased backlash. Many claimed that the acting seemed like it lacked emotion and genuinity. Although Sweeney’s acting could be interpreted in this way, this was merely because it was a rom-com that was supposed to seem cheesy, not the dramas that Sweeney is usually seen in.
While Sydney Sweeney has received tons of hate, it is definitely undeserved. True fans can acknowledge that she is a talented actress and her looks are not the only reason for her fame.
