Sydney Sweeney Reveals Cruel Casting Criticism She Faced At 16: I Was Told 'To Fix My Face'

Sydney Sweeney reflected on her early audition struggles in Hollywood, recalling being told to "fix her face" at 16.

The actress admitted that growing up in the industry was not a great experience, noting that she got told "no" way more than "yes."

This comes after Sydney Sweeney finally addressed the backlash directed at her over her American Eagle jeans ad.

Sydney Sweeney Opens Up About Early Hollywood Struggles And Tough Auditions

During a recent appearance on "Live with Kelly and Mark," Sweeney got candid about one of the harsh realities she faced early in her acting career, being told to "fix her face" by a casting director when she was just 16.

While chatting with hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, the 28-year-old actress reflected on her early audition experiences, admitting that her path into Hollywood was anything but smooth.

"I started when I was young, so I had many auditions that did not go very well. I've had casting directors who are eating chips in the room when you are trying to audition," she recalled, per the Daily Mail. "I've been told I need to 'fix my face,' which is not fun at 16. It's not a great experience growing up, but you can have fun in it as well."

She went on to share that rejection is a massive part of the business, saying, "You are going to get told no way more than you are going to be told yes."

Kelly noted how important it is to have a strong sense of self, and Sweeney agreed, adding that confidence and resilience are essential when growing up in Hollywood.

The Actress Reveals She Gained 30 Pounds To Transform For Boxing Biopic 'Christy'

Sweeney has been busy promoting her upcoming biographical sports drama "Christy," which tells the inspiring story of former female boxer Christy Martin.

Directed by David Michôd, the film is set to premiere in theaters on November 7. Sweeney takes on the challenging lead role of Martin, starring alongside Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, and Katy O'Brian.

In preparation for the part, the "Euphoria" star underwent a major physical transformation, gaining 30 pounds to portray the boxing legend authentically.

Speaking to Variety during the Toronto International Film Festival last month, Sweeney opened up about the intense process behind the scenes.

"I had a nutritionist work with me as well as a weight trainer and a boxing trainer," she shared. "We upped my calorie intake and I started taking a lot of protein shakes and supplements and eating everything."

She went on to explain that the demanding training made it difficult to maintain the extra weight.

"I ate a lot of Smuckers, a lot of PB and J sandwiches, milkshakes, kind of just constantly always eating because we were so active," Sweeney noted. "I was constantly burning it all off at the same time. So keeping it all up was quite a challenge."

Sydney Sweeney's Boxing Biopic 'Christy' Receives Mixed Reviews Ahead Of Release

Ahead of its official release, Sweeney's boxer biopic film has already received mixed early reviews from critics.

The BBC's culture critic gave "Christy" just two stars, writing that while Sweeney is the main draw of the biopic, her fame makes it hard for audiences to fully see her as the character.

"It's impossible to forget that she's Sydney Sweeney in this cliché-ridden biopic," the review noted, adding that her celebrity "distracts from what's going on in the film."

The Telegraph also rated the film two stars, describing it as a project where "Sydney's muscular makeover isn't enough to save this boxing biopic."

The review acknowledged that while the actress delivered a committed performance, the film's predictable plot "lets her down."

Still, critics agreed that Sweeney made the most of the material, calling her portrayal "credible" and "earnest." As of now, "Christy" holds a 67% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, though the audience rating has yet to be released.

Sydney Sweeney Breaks Silence On American Eagle Ad Backlash: 'I'm Not Here To Tell People What To Think'

Meanwhile, Sweeney finally addressed the controversy surrounding her American Eagle jeans campaign, which sparked widespread debate earlier this year.

In her new GQ cover story, the two-time Emmy nominee revealed that she never considered releasing a public statement amid the backlash.

"I've always believed I'm not here to tell people what to think," she explained. "I know who I am. I know what I value. I know that I'm a kind person."

She added that she tries to stay grounded through it all: "I know that I love a lot, and I know that I'm just excited to see what happens next. And so I don't really let other people define who I am."

The Actress Says The Reaction To The Jean Ad Was 'A Surprise'

Reflecting on the intense reactions the ad received, Sweeney admitted during her chat with GQ that she was taken aback by how much attention it drew.

"I did a jean ad," she said. "The reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans."

Sweeney added, "I'm literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life… I knew at the end of the day what that ad was for, and it was great jeans, it didn't affect me one way or the other."