Sydney Sweeney recently delivered a powerful and deserved clapback after facing body-shaming criticism from online trolls who took issue with paparazzi photos of her lounging by the pool in a purple bikini at her Florida home.
The images, showing the Euphoria star in a natural, unposed state, sparked a flood of nasty comments from internet users who had nothing better to do than pick apart her appearance. One troll criticized her as an “average chunky Yankee girl,” another called her “too pale,” and yet another suggested she “needs to lose a few pounds around the middle.”
Rather than letting these hurtful remarks slide, Sweeney turned the insults into fuel for an incredible response. She posted a video on Instagram, showing screenshots of the hate she received followed by clips of herself working out at the gym. In the footage, she’s lifting weights, flipping tires, and practicing boxing—possibly imagining the trolls as her punching bags. The video was left without a caption, letting the powerful visuals do the talking. One clip included a sign that read “just don’t quit,” a clear message reflecting her resilient attitude toward the criticism.
Sweeney’s fiery response was met with support from her peers. The White Lotus co-star Lukas Gage cheered her on with “go off Syd,” while Riverdale star Lili Reinhart called out the trolls, saying it’s “wild to see people publicly out-themselves as pieces of s**t with comments like that.” Other celebrities, including Madelyn Cline, Quinta Brunson, and Rachel Brosnahan, also expressed their support in the comments.
The training featured in the video was part of her preparation for her upcoming role as Hall of Fame boxer Christy Martin in an untitled biopic directed by David Michôd. Sweeney shared that she has been fully immersed in training to bring Martin’s incredible story to life. “Christy’s journey is a testament to resilience, strength, and hope, and I’m honored to step into her shoes to share her powerful story with you all,” she wrote.
The role seems like a perfect fit for Sweeney, especially in light of the body-shaming remarks. It allows her to embody confidence, strength, and resilience—qualities she’s undoubtedly harnessing in her response to the trolls. While the internet can be filled with negativity and insecurities, Sweeney continues to rise above, proving that she’s a successful, Emmy-nominated actress, while the trolls are left to stew in their own petty comments.