• Backlash over Sydney Sweeney’s political ties and an American Eagle ad is fueling outrage over her casting in a lesbian boxer biopic.
• Sweeney is set to portray former professional boxer Christy Martin in Christy, scheduled for a September release.
• Critics call the casting “disappointing” and demand the film be canceled, while others defend Sweeney’s right to the role.

LOS ANGELES, CA (TDR) — Sydney Sweeney is at the center of a heated cultural clash, as anger over her American Eagle campaign and Republican voter registration spills into the reaction over her casting in Christy, a September-bound biopic of lesbian boxing champion Christy Martin.

The Euphoria star ignited further criticism when she posted a still from the upcoming sports drama on Instagram last month. Within days, the comments section was flooded after reports confirmed she had been registered as a Republican voter in Monroe County, Florida since June 14, 2024.

Online critics didn’t hold back. “Cast a Republican who hates individual expression to play a lesbian? Airpod body privilege,” one user wrote. Another blasted, “Can we not put MAGAts in queer roles please???” A third asked, “You think your Republican buddies will see a lesbian movie?”

Calls for Cancellation

Some fans are calling for the film’s cancellation, labeling the casting “disappointing” and “cringe.” Several cited her American Eagle ad as proof she “is not an ally.”

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“A woman who aligns with this actual woman’s lifestyle should’ve represented her,” one comment read. “Not someone who consistently shows through her branding and actions that she is not an ally.” Another wrote, “I feel betrayed after watching your ad. I was looking forward to this movie as a Christy Martin fan. After recent news, I’ll be passing.”

The controversy echoes past Hollywood debates over casting politically polarizing actors, particularly in roles representing marginalized groups.

Divided Opinions

Despite the outrage, others defended Sweeney. “Bruh, y’all being overdramatic over a pair of jeans,” one supporter said. Another asked, “Are you saying she is anti-gay just because she is a Republican?”

Sweeney’s voter status is listed as “Active,” suggesting she may have participated in the 2024 presidential election, which saw Donald Trump return to the White House.

Trump’s Public Endorsement

Trump addressed the controversy directly, telling reporters he thought her American Eagle spot was “fantastic.” He later praised Sweeney again on Truth Social, calling it the “HOTTEST” ad and saying the jeans were “flying off the shelves.”

In the same post, he took aim at Taylor Swift, claiming she stopped being “hot” after endorsing Democrats like Vice President Kamala Harris. “Being woke is for losers,” Trump wrote, echoing rhetoric he’s used in past celebrity feuds.

Silence from Sweeney

Weeks into the uproar, Sweeney has not responded publicly to the backlash. Sources told US Weekly that she considers the reaction “blown out of proportion” and remains focused on her work, including her role in HBO’s upcoming season of Euphoria.

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Filming for Euphoria season three began earlier this year, but HBO has yet to announce a premiere date. Industry observers note that the timing of Christy’s release — so close to a politically charged debate over its star — could either fuel box office curiosity or depress turnout among more progressive audiences.

The Bigger Picture

The controversy over Sweeney’s casting mirrors broader questions about representation in Hollywood and whether political ideology should factor into casting decisions for roles tied to LGBTQ+ identity.

Christy tells the story of Christy Martin’s rise in the male-dominated boxing world, her public coming-out, and her survival of domestic violence — themes that resonate deeply with audiences invested in both sports and LGBTQ+ representation. The film’s creative team has not issued a statement addressing the backlash, a choice that may reflect a strategy to avoid amplifying the political firestorm.

As premiere day nears, Sweeney’s silence leaves the narrative largely in the hands of her critics and defenders online. Whether the debate subsides or escalates could determine the film’s cultural and commercial trajectory.

Will Sydney Sweeney’s refusal to engage help the storm fade, or will Christy be defined by a political battle rather than its story?

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