Inside Sydney Sweeney’s rapid rise to stardom: How the actress went from scene-stealing Euphoria role to bikini bombshell and rom-com leading lady
Sydney Sweeney is having a major moment.
From her starring roles on Euphoria and The White Lotus to the launch of her line of swimwear for Frankie’s Bikinis the 25-year-old actress is on her way to becoming a household name in Hollywood.
Sydney first made her mark in The Handmaids Tale and Sharp Objects before landing her roles as high schooler Cassie Howard in Euphoria and college student Olivia Mossbacher in the first season of HBO’s The White Lotus.
The actress has Euphoria’s third season in the pipeline as well as high-profile roles in the AppleTV+ series Echo Valley alongside Julianne Moore, Marvel’s Madame Web alongside Dakota Johnson and as the lead in the horror movie Immaculate.
And if she seems to be everywhere and in everything all at once, that’s intentional: The rising star admitted she doesn’t have enough money to take six months off of work.
‘They don’t pay actors like they used to, and with streamers, you no longer get residuals,’ Sydney recently told The Hollywood Reporter.
‘The established stars still get paid, but I have to give 5 percent to my lawyer, 10 percent to my agents, 3 percent or something like that to my business manager. I have to pay my publicist every month, and that’s more than my mortgage.’
Here, DailyMail.com takes a look at Sydney Sweeney’s rapid rise to stardom.
SHE MADE A 5-YEAR CAREER PLAN WHEN SHE WAS 12 TO CONVINCE HER PARENTS TO LET HER ACT
Pretty Little Liars: Sydney Sweeney as Willa in Pretty Little Liars in 2017 when she was 20
Sydney Bernice Sweeney is well on her way to becoming a household name in Hollywood and she’s been working towards that goal for more than a decade now.
When she was 12-years-old she put together a PowerPoint presentation outlining her five-year career plan to convince her parents to let her try to become an actress.
She laid the plan out logically, if somewhat loftily, projecting that if she auditioned for a short film, she’d get noticed by talent agents, which would allow her to connect with a big name producer, etc.
The plan worked and for the next several years her family traveled between their home in Spokane, Washington and Los Angeles for auditions.
Sydney booked guest starring roles on Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, Pretty Little Liars, 90210, Heroes and The Middle – but those small parts were far from the stardom she dreamed of.
By the time she was 18, she felt defeated. However, that’s when things started turning around and bigger, more high profile roles landed in her lap.
SYDNEY LANDS HER FIRST ROLE IN THE NETFLIX SHOW EVERYTHING SUCKS! AT AGE 18
Everything Sucks!: Sydney in character as drama club member Emaline in Netflix’s 2018 series Everything Sucks!
Sydney got her first taste of success when she was cast at Emaline in the Netflix series Everything Sucks! in 2018.
The 10-episode series parodied the teen culture of the 1990s. Set in the real life town of Boring, Oregon, it centered on a group of students at Boring High School.
The plot centered around the friction between the A/V Club and the Drama Club.
Sydney played drama club member Emaline Addario, who was dating fellow drama student Oliver Schermerhorn and the object of crushes by several of her classmates of both sexes.
Netflix canceled the series after one season, but Sydney was the breakout star of Everything Sucks! and on her way to the stardom she enjoys today.
RISING STAR GRABS HOLLYWOOD’S ATTENTION WITH A SUPPORTING ROLE ON THE HANDMAID’S TALE
Gilead: Sydney played a pivotal supporting character in the second season of HBO’s The Handmaid’s Tale
Tragic storyline: She appeared in seven episodes of the hit show before her character was killed off
Competition: She starred in the show based on the Margaret Atwood novel with Elisabeth Moss
The same year she shot Everything Sucks! Sydney also landed a seven-episode arc in the second season of the enormous hit The Handmaid’s Tale.
Her role as Eden Spencer marked the first time she played the kind of dark character in a tough situation that she would become known for.
The series is based on the book of the same name by Margaret Atwood and is set in the dystopian world of Gilead, where women have their autonomy taken away from them.
Sydney’s role was introduced in the fifth episode of the second season. She played a 15-year-old who was forced to marry Nick Blaine.
However, she was caught kissing another man and executed of the sin of infidelity. Her father is the one who turned her in as she was planning to flee the country with her lover.
Sydney’s nuanced performance as Eden hints at the range she is capable of in her acting. She played the part with such tiny hints at her character’s emotions, conveying the sense of being trapped.
SYDNEY SHARPENS HER SKILLS AT PLAYING DARK CHARACTERS IN SHARP OBJECTS
Haunting: In Sharp Objects, her character Alice haunts the memories of Amy Adams’ Camille
Successful audition: She called her audition for Sharp Objects, her first truly successful audition
Next up, Sydney took on the role of Alice in the HBO miniseries Sharp Objects, which was based on the Gillian Flynn novel of the same name.
Alice is a character that wasn’t in the novel. She was Camille’s (Amy Adams) roommate in the mental hospital for people who commit self harm.
Sydney calls her audition for Sharp Object her first truly successful audition. She read with the director, the late Jean-Marc Vallée, and it felt ‘amazing,’ according to The Hollywood Reporter.
To prepare for the role, Sydney researched the stories of girls who dealt with depression and practiced self harm.
‘Alice was one of those characters where I really dug in, found videos, articles, and journal entries of girls who have dealt with self-inflicted harm and similar issues,’ Sweeney shared with Flaunt Magazine.
‘I tried to do as much research as I possibly could in creating my character and creating her back story.’
And in an interview with Glamour UK, the actress revealed that she relishes the niche she’s carved out for herself playing dark characters.
‘I would always worry that I was only going to play the girl next door or the cute girlfriend,’ Sweeney revealed. ‘But I’ve been really lucky that all my roles have been very intense and completely different kinds of characters. I’ve been able to work on shows with amazing role models, amazing actors, incredible female filmmakers. It’s been really cool to see the industry change and be part of that change.’
SYDNEY GOES TO THE BIG SCREEN WITH A SMALL ROLE IN ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
Spahn Ranch: Sydney made her major feature film debut with a small role in Once Upon A Time in Hollywood
Sydney played a small part in the Quentin Tarantino film starring Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie.
And while her part was small – it marked a major milestone working on a big budget, splashy film with a legendary director and A-list stars.
She played the role of Snake, who is a member of the Manson Family who lives on Spahn ranch with the rest of the girls who fell under the spell of the notorious serial killer.
THE SCREEN SIREN GETS HER BIG BREAK IN HBO’S HIT SHOW EUPHORIA
Breakout role: Sydney got her breakout role in 2019 when she was cast as Cassie Howard in HBO’s Euphoria
Troubled: Cassie is a popular but insecure and promiscuous girl
Casting: At first, casting directors didn’t even want Sydney to audition but she submitted a tape and landed the role – and an Emmy nomination
In 2019, Euphoria debuted on HBO and instantly became a fan favorite and launched Sydney into the stratosphere.
The show is the cable channel’s most-watched show after Game of Thrones.
Starring Zendaya, Maude Apatow, Jacob Elordi, Hunter Shafer, Angus Cloud and Sydney, the series redefined high school dramas for GenZ.
At first, she was told she wasn’t right for the role of Cassie – a sweet and popular girl who is deeply insecure and sleeps around. In fact, she was told not to bother coming into to even audition.
Her agent fought for her and she submitted a tape and the rest is history.
She was nominated for an Emmy for her role in the high school drama with rampant drug use and casual sex last year.
‘Of course I was hoping for Euphoria because I’m so proud of my character and I put a lot into it, but I didn’t think I was going to get it because of the other actresses who gave such incredible performances this year,’ she said.
And the actress admits she enjoys how crazy her character in Euphoria is.
‘I enjoy going crazy. So I kind of hope she’s still a little crazy. For Cassie, she needs to make amends,’ she told Variety.
Sweeney added that in the end, ‘I hope one day she loves herself.’ But for as long as she can Sweeney said she’ll continue to enjoy the character’s ‘craziness.’
SYDNEY BOOKS A SCENE-STEALING TRIP TO THE WHITE LOTUS
Vacation: The White Lotus, shot during the pandemic, garnered Sydney her first Emmy nomination for her role as Olivia Mossbacher, the bratty college student
Pandemic: It was shot on location at the Four Seasons in Maui during the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating that the cast and crew sequester themselves, which turned out to be great for the series
Satire: The HBO miniseries is a dark and satirical look at white privilege at a posh Hawaiian resort
The White Lotus, shot during the pandemic, garnered Sydney her first Emmy nomination for her role as Olivia Mossbacher, the bratty college student.
The HBO miniseries is a dark and satirical look at white privilege at a posh Hawaiian resort.
It was shot on location at the Four Seasons in Maui during the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating that the cast and crew sequester themselves, which turned out to be great for the series.
Sydney calls the shoot idyllic as the cast celebrated the end of each day’s shooting with a sunset swim.
‘We were all friends, and [the resort] felt like a house that belonged to all of us,’ she told The Hollywood Reporter.
‘Then toward the end, they opened up the resort to guests, and it became clear I did not belong [among the clientele]. I would go to breakfast in my sweatshirt and pajama shorts and get the most disgusting glares from the guests that I dared to show up like that.’
‘The first time I saw her transform into this petulant child I was shocked,’Connie Britton, who plays Olivia’s mother, said. ‘But she’s also so funny. We were exploring these vitriolic relationships while we had the time of our lives.’
White Lotus’ creator Mike White heaped praise on Sydney, saying, ‘She’s very likable and charming, but then you put her in front of a camera and – I don’t want to sound like some Old Hollywood freak – but she has these powers. Certain actors have a certain kind of magic, and she is definitely one of them.’
THE BOMBSHELL LAUNCHES CAREER AS BIKINI DESIGNER AND MODEL
Bombshell: Sydney is enjoying the success of her first line of bikinis with Frankie’s Bikinis
Sultry: She regularly posts snaps of herself in her bikinis on social media
New line: She recently revealed that a new drop of new bikinis comes out April 4
More recently Sydney has been basking in the success of her line of bikinis she designed – and models – for Frankie’s Bikinis.
The actress has been regularly posting sexy snaps of her in the bikinis to her social media.
Earlier this week, she posted a new video to the brand’s account wearing a black bikini and looking every bit the bombshell in the side tie bottoms and scalloped edge top.
She said, ‘I’m so happy you love the first drop of my collection of Frankie’s bikinis. We have more dreamy pieces coming out, tap to sign up for early access so you can get more information.’
The post was captioned, ‘more from @sydney_sweeney coming 4.4.’
The website for Frankie’s Bikinis describes the collaboration with Sydney as the sexiest yet.
‘Love Letters by Sydney Sweeney is inspired by the girl who follows her heart, with pieces that highlight Sydney’s gorgeous femininity and sweet romantic aura,’ the web page reads.
The actress turned designer has collaborated on a number of looks in a variety of colors, including green, pink and white.
‘This collection introduces bombshell bikini tops made to tease, one pieces made to flatter, clothing designed to inspire confidence, and personal details from Sydney herself.’
MAJOR MOVIE STAR: SYDNEY IS AIMING FOR LEADING LADY STATUS WITH HER NEW ROM COM
Down Under: Sydney is shooting a rom com in Sydney, Australia and taking time to visit the sites
Cricket Match: She recently attended a cricket match between the Sydney Swans and Hawthorn Hawks
Fun: The Euphoria star enjoyed her time meeting the athletes
Joyful: She can be seen smiling as she poses with the players
Currently, Sydney is visiting Sydney, Australia where she is shooting her upcoming as yet untitled rom com with Top Gun: Maverick star Glen Powell.
And when she’s not shooting, she’s been enjoying her time in the city with her name.
She took in a Sydney Swans cricket match and had fun meeting the team after their victory over the Hawthorn Hawks.
In a video shared by the Sydney Swans, the actress couldn’t wipe the smile off her face as she chatted to the shirtless men and posed for photos with them.
‘When Sydney met the Swans. Thanks to the amazing Sydney Sweeney for visiting us,’ the clip was captioned.
At the end of the video, she could be seen doing a cartwheel and giggling on the field.
Sydney attended the game at the Sydney Cricket Ground with her actor pals Dermot Mulroney and Rachel Griffiths.
An eagle-eyed fan noticed her and slid into her DMs to ask her to join him at his seats, writing ‘Queen wya (where you at)? We’re Bay 30, come link up.’
Sydney has been Down Under for several weeks now and has been visiting popular tourist spots in Sydney including Taronga Zoo and Luna Park.
She has also been filming in locations across the city, including the inner city suburb of Surry Hills and Double Bay, in the city’s east.
SHE’S LONG PAST HER 5 YEAR PLAN BUT KNOWS WHAT SHE WANTS FROM THE NEAR FUTURE
Love birds: She is notoriously private about her personal life but it has been confirmed that she is engaged to Jonathan Davino
It’s been 13 years since Sydney – who got engaged to her beau, Chicago-based businessman Jonathan Davino, last year – presented her parents with her PowerPoint presentation and all of her predictions have come true.
She’s one of the hardest working and most prolific actresses around, and in her Hollywood Reporter interview, she explained why.
‘I don’t have someone supporting me, I don’t have anyone I can turn to, to pay my bills or call for help,’ she said.
‘I want to have a family, I’ve always wanted to be a young mom, and I’m worried about how this industry puts stigmas on young women who have children and looks at them in a different light. I was worried that, if I don’t work, there is no money and no support for kids I would have.’
When she was just starting out, her family lived out of one room in a motel, which has led to her work ethic and deep need to make and save money.
But she’s doing just fine with a reported net worth of $5 million and she recently bought a five bedroom, 3,500 square foot home for $3 million near UCLA in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.
‘I couldn’t believe I was even able to buy a house,’ says Sydney. ‘I want to be able to stay there.’
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