Actress Sydney Sweeney has spoken out about the pressures she experienced early in her career, with the actress stating that she was once asked to take Botox in her teenage years. Speaking with Variety, the Euphoria star revealed how a professional in the industry advised her to “fix” her face if she were to make it in Hollywood, with the actress stating that she was advised to alter her natural facial features.
“I have really strong eyebrow muscles,” Sweeney said. “And I once had someone say to me, ‘Fix your face or you’re not going to make it.’ I should get Botox. I was 16!” The actress also mentioned another annoying early experience: “I’m in a casting, reading my scene, and the casting director is munching on a bag of potato chips. I’m like, ‘You’re not even listening at all.’
In spite of the discouragement, Sweeney has become one of Hollywood’s most in-demand young stars. With standout roles in Euphoria and The White Lotus, she has made a name for herself by selecting emotionally layered and frequently divisive performances. “I find myself gravitating towards characters that are stereotypically unlikable,” she told us. “I like to challenge an audience to have empathy for that person.”
Mike White, the author of The White Lotus, has credited Sweeney with her effortless acting talent and charisma. “There was something very offhand about her,” he explained. “She was very charming, and I thought that would serve the part because the character was so unlikeable on paper. When you’re editing, you notice she just jumps out on screen. My attention always went to her, regardless of who’s in the scene.”. That’s natural screen magnetism that’s difficult to measure.
Filmmaker Paul Feig, who has worked with Sweeney, echoed White’s admiration, describing her as exceptionally confident and media-savvy. “She’s probably one of the most confident people I’ve ever met — in a good way,” Feig said. “She’s very smart about publicity and social media. As we’re getting ready to promote, we’ll say, ‘Let’s do this, it’s the hot trend on TikTok right now,’ and she’ll say, ‘No, that was last month. Here’s the hot trend.’”
Sweeney’s tale brings to light the pressures put on young women in Hollywood as well as her strength in overcoming them. She is only 28, yet she continues to make room for the rich female character and shows the world that authenticity, rather than conformity, is what will really make a star.
