Sydney Sweeney's Performance as Boxer Christy Martin Legitimately Looks Amazing

Emma McIntyre. Getty Images.

Given the events of the last few days, it's hard to imagine there was a time a few weeks ago where the biggest story tearing Americans apart was a pretty actress endorsing a line of jeans. But such is life in a world gone mad.

What we shouldn't forget in that paragraph is the word "actress." Sydney Sweeney is so associated with being the current No. 1 sex symbol in pop culture, it's easy to forget she can actually portray a wide range of different characters. And deserves a ton of credit for branching out artistically. Like I wrote when she took on her most challenging role to date:

There's absolutely nothing stopping her from cashing in with more TV-MA content like Euphoria, then make what she can before her looks fade and she resorts to marrying the oldest, richest man she get her hooks into. Often referred to as the Catherine Zeta-Jone Plan, which has worked out well for her. 

But Sweeney hasn't always taken the low-hanging fruit. She's pushed herself. Sure, Madame Web was a disaster. But she and everyone in it make no effort to pretend it wasn't awful, so score one for her. But she played the deadeyed, resting bitchfaced teen daughter in White Lotus. Did that RomCom with Glen Powell. Played a nun in a dark thriller. So kudos to her for spreading her wings and pushing herself when she really doesn't have to become stinking rich while her true talents - and I don't have to spell out for you what those are - are at their peak.

And I suggested the body transformation she went under to play this real life fighting sport pioneer was the kind of thing the Academy Awards loves to consider when they hand out Oscars. Well now that we've gotten the first trailer, I was spot on about Sweeney's chances:

If anything, I underestimated her chances. 

First, this is an impressive performance. Second, there's the dedication she showed in getting into Christy Martin-shape. I mean, that was tough enough when Robert DeNiro got fat to play Jake LaMotta or Matthew McConaghey  starved himself for Dallas Buyer's Club. This transformation was extra hard when everything she ate went right to her sexiest parts and made them even more attractive to the Male Gaze. 

But third and fourth, the Academy loves few things more than they like a biopic and a boxing film. Martin is a heroic figure. Boxing has been bringing out the rawest of human experiences since Requiem for a Heavyweight, On the Waterfront, Rocky, Raging Bull, Million Dollar Baby, Cinderella Man, The Fighter, Ali, Creed. All of which collected Oscar nominations and statuettes like a dozen Meryl Streeps. 

The Oscars are a half a year away and I have no idea what kind of competition Sweeney is going to face. But if this trailer is any indication and she doesn't at least get nominated, the only logical conclusion is she's been rejected for those "controversial" jeans ads. But if the want fellas tuning into the broadcast, they'll know what to do.