Sydney Sweeney revealed that her parents’ financial struggles and subsequent divorce were rooted in her father’s battle with addiction. In a candid interview, the Euphoria star shared how her father’s addiction led to significant financial strain, ultimately resulting in bankruptcy. She expressed that witnessing her parents’ challenges deeply affected her, but it also motivated her to work hard and achieve success in her career. Sweeney emphasized the importance of resilience and the lessons she learned from her family’s experiences.
Sweeney reflected on the challenges her family faced after relocating from Washington to Southern California, highlighting the tough period that followed, which included her parents’ divorce and bankruptcy filing in 2016. She acknowledged the impact of these events on her perspective, stating, “I knew that I could never actually fail because, on a very broad scale, my family did lose everything.” This experience fueled her determination to succeed, demonstrating how she turned personal adversity into motivation in her career.
Sweeney emphasized that her family’s struggles served as a catalyst for her drive to succeed, stating, “I knew I had to succeed in some capacity so that it wasn’t for nothing.” She also reflected on a challenging period in her life when she felt like a failure, especially before achieving significant milestones in her career. Currently, she has physically transformed herself for the role of boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic directed by David Michôd, showcasing her commitment to her craft and her determination to overcome past obstacles.
Sweeney described her journey to stardom, detailing how she had to pitch her acting aspirations to her parents through a PowerPoint presentation before they relocated to Los Angeles. She faced skepticism from her peers in Washington, who questioned her decision to pursue acting and the toll it took on her family.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Sweeney emphasized the impact of her parents’ financial struggles, saying, “I come from a family where I saw my parents lose everything, and I am terrified of that.” This fear has shaped her approach to finances, making her a “huge saver.” Despite her rapid rise to fame, she remains grounded, recalling her humble beginnings and stating, “For 20 years, I was this person.” She also expressed no bitterness toward those who doubted her, affirming, “I’m never one to hold a grudge.”
