Christy Martin Defends Sydney Sweeney After ‘Christy’ Box Office Challenges: “She Worked Her Heart Out

Legendary boxer Christy Martin has publicly defended Sydney Sweeney following criticism of the actor after their biopic, “Christy,” faced a disappointing box office debut. Sweeney, who portrays Martin in the film, has come under fire on social media and from fellow actor Ruby Rose, but Martin insists Sweeney was deeply committed to telling her story and making an impact.

Martin’s Support for Sweeney

“Christy,” which chronicles Martin’s rise in the boxing world and her personal battles—including abuse from her coach-turned-husband—opened to just $1.3 million in North America, despite a production budget of $15 million and early Oscar buzz for Sweeney’s performance. The real Christy Martin, involved throughout the film’s production and promotional campaign, took to Instagram to defend Sweeney against the backlash.

“I’ve always been a fighter. My life reflected that in every way and now I fight for others,” Martin wrote. “The past few days I have seen some people attack my friend Sydney Sweeney. Syd not only worked her ass off for this film, she worked her ass off for me. For my story. For so many others suffering in silence. So I want to be clear about who Syd is. She is my friend and ally!”

Sweeney Responds to Critics

After social media users labeled Sweeney a “flop” and questioned her casting, Sweeney herself responded with a heartfelt Instagram post, emphasizing the deeper meaning behind the project. “We don’t always just make art for numbers, we make it for impact,” she wrote. “And ‘Christy’ has been the most impactful project of my life.”

Sweeney highlighted the film’s mission to raise awareness about domestic violence and inspire hope. “This film stands for survival, courage, and hope. Through our campaigns, we’ve helped raise awareness for so many affected by domestic violence. We all signed on to this film with the belief that Christy’s story could save lives,” she said. “If ‘Christy’ gave even one woman the courage to take her first step toward safety, then we will have succeeded.”

Ruby Rose Joins the Debate

The controversy intensified when actor Ruby Rose, who was previously considered for a supporting role in “Christy,” publicly criticized Sweeney. Rose called Sweeney a “cretin” and claimed she “ruined the film. Period. Christy deserved better.” The remarks added fuel to the online debate, but Martin’s unwavering support for Sweeney remained clear.

A Story Beyond Box Office Numbers

Despite the film’s commercial struggles, both Martin and Sweeney have stressed the importance of the story’s impact over its financial performance. “Christy” continues to play in theaters nationwide, distributed by Black Bear, and its message of survival and resilience continues to resonate with audiences.

As Martin wrote, “Syd not only worked her ass off for this film, she worked her ass off for me. For my story. For so many others suffering in silence.” For Martin, Sweeney’s dedication and friendship matter far more than box office numbers, and together, they hope “Christy” will inspire and help those in need for years to come.