Sidney Sweeney Discusses Transformation for Christy Martin Role

Sidney Sweeney opened up about her significant transformation for the role of legendary boxer Christy Martin in the film “Christy.” During a Q&A session following the premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Friday, the 27-year-old actress revealed that she gained over £30 for the role and that her preparation involved rigorous training, coupled with indulgent meals from Chick-fil-A and milkshakes.

“I trained a couple of months before filming,” Sweeney shared. “We had a boxing coach, a weight trainer, and a nutritionist. I worked out three times a day and continued that routine while we were filming.” Coach David Mikodo chimed in, joking, “And there were a lot of Chick-fil-A meals.” Sweeney affirmed, “A lot of Chick-fil-A, for sure—many snacks and milkshakes, along with protein shakes.”

“It was incredible to embody such a powerful woman,” she expressed, noting that the experience made her feel stronger and was genuinely exciting.

The film dives into Martin’s life as she rose to fame in the 1990s, known as the “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” from a small town in West Virginia. It also addresses her turbulent relationship with her boxing trainer and husband, Jim Martin, portrayed by Ben Foster. Their marriage was marked by codependency, substance abuse, financial issues, and instances of physical and psychological violence. Martin’s survival story takes a dark turn when Jim attempts to take her life in 2010.

Sweeney previously spent time with Martin, and at the TIFF event, she reflected on the emotional experience of portraying the champion. “Thank you for helping me share your story and for being such a special person,” she told Martin. “Your story absolutely deserves to be told.” She added, “It’s intimidating, though—because you’re doing this in front of her.” There’s a sense of vulnerability there; portraying someone as renowned as Martin is no small feat.

During the Q&A, Martin praised Sweeney for capturing the duality of her character. “Boxer Christy was a persona—very exaggerated and self-centered, but that’s not really me,” she explained. “I’m actually quite shy and reserved.” Martin continued, noting how Sweeney successfully portrayed her strong yet sensitive sides. “She turned into someone entirely unexpected. It was beautiful, not the typical ‘sexy’ portrayal, but a tough and resilient Christy.” After her harrowing experiences, Martin has become a motivational speaker and established a non-profit to support domestic violence survivors.

Martin expressed hope that her story would motivate others to pursue their dreams, stating, “I made a deal with God—if I survived, I would help as many people as I could.” Her message is clear: anyone can achieve their dreams, regardless of their background.

Following its premiere, “Christy” received a standing ovation. Critics have responded positively to Sweeney’s performance, sparking Oscar buzz for her role. Ahead of TIFF, Sweeney had opted not to address any controversy surrounding a recent ad campaign she was involved with, maintaining that her focus was solely on supporting her film. “I’m here for Christie, not for jeans,” she remarked, emphasizing her commitment to the project and the individuals involved.